Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)

Is the Minister aware that our counterparts in the UK have put a condition on the banks regarding recapitalisation, specifying that money must be made available, particularly for small businesses? Will she assure the House that if the Government decides to invest money in the banks she will insist the Minister of Finance ensures this condition also applies here? This is very serious and I want to get that through to the Minister.

A useful initiative in the UK is in the whole area of credit advice being made available to small businesses. More professionalism is being provided to give them good advice with regard to invoicing, credit management and so on. That is real action and it is needed. I realise we have mentors, enterprise bodies, training boards etc., but we need to send specific professional help into businesses to give them the advice and coaching they need to get through these tough times. That alone might encourage the banks to lend them some money.

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