Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am very much aware of the difficulties facing small firms as a result of the current economic difficulties and in particular the importance of continuing access to bank credit facilities for sound projects.

The Tánaiste met the SFA and ISME on 19 November 2008, to discuss their concerns on a range of issues which have impacted on small business as a result of the credit crunch. These include access to credit from financial institutions.

While the banking sector is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, my Department has worked closely with the Minister and officials of his Department on encouraging the banks to assume their responsibility to provide support to economic development and to provide credit to SMEs in particular.

The Deputy will no doubt be aware that over the past week several Irish banks announced significant financial lending packages to assist SMEs. In addition, the European Investment Bank indicated it is in discussions with four Irish banks about its recently announced €30 billion loan facility to provide loans to SMEs through commercial banks. These important developments are to be welcomed.

My Department's continuous support for indigenous companies is shown through maintaining a positive business environment and through particular interventions from the State development agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, FÁS and the county and city enterprise boards.

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