Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I do not disagree that businesses continue to encounter difficulties in terms of accessing working capital and the normal methods by which they involve themselves in business. That being said, it is important we have a critically well examined outcome in terms of setting up the new agency. These complex issues will have to be addressed by experts and evaluated by this House. It is appropriate, therefore, that we await the technical outcomes and that the complexities of this issue are worked through as quickly as possible. In the meantime, serious decisions must be made by Government. This Government will make decisions on the basis of the sustainability of the banking system to ensure the country can move forward, thus returning us to a situation whereby enterprise, employment and access to working capital and the methods by which we continue to operate business and create export potential take place. This is the most critical issue in the context of the banking sector. This will marry into supporting people in enterprise. I referred earlier to the €100 million fund-----

See this speech in context