Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy's initial comment arose from the quarterly national survey. While it was not a surprise it is a reminder of the major challenge we face to sustain employment and create new opportunities here. The Government is taking several initiatives to address many of those issues, for example, concern about access to credit for business has been raised in this House over a considerable period. Some have severely criticised NAMA but it is the most appropriate way for us to ensure that there will be a credit supply to business, and stability in the banking system.

As a consequence of NAMA, banks will receive funds cheaper at 1.5% from the European Central Bank, ECB, which will entice them to lend. We have set up a credit clearing group in which we have worked on the Mazars report-----

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