Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

These banks are engaged in corporate bullying, using and abusing the very people who they were happy to serve this time last year. The banks are now putting them through the mill in a manner which no one can stand over. It is ironic that banks in the UK are giving guarantees on fees and contracts. I would hope Irish banks take similar acts of faith in their small business and general clients. I am not pleading for charity cases but for substantial and solid businesses with successful track records who for reasons outside of their control are facing pressure. They need space and this was the spirit of the bank guarantee legislation.

There are several other issues regarding small and medium-sized enterprises which I would like to see tackled on Committee Stage. Pre-qualification for Government contracts may have been a good measure several years ago but now it must be challenged. I welcome the Bill and that the Minister took on board feedback since his Budget Statement. I look forward to its passage through the House.

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