Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

-----any further moneys through the wholesale money markets and lend it into the broader economy. The Deputy is right to assert that issues with short-term working capital are creating major difficulties, such as reductions in overdraft and current account facilities. Such issues are having a huge impact on small and medium-sized businesses. As their cash flow reserves are gone at this stage, such businesses are having to work off current accounts and overdrafts. The inclination of the banks to reduce overdraft facilities over a short period of time is putting huge pressures on small and medium-sized businesses. It is essential for the members of the credit supply clearing group to meet and to the correct information. The group was established to discuss these issues, highlight the difficulties that exist and collate all the information. If people have difficulties, they can bring them to the attention of the group. I assure the Deputy that I am like a mini clearing group, in the sense that people contact my office every day to discuss the difficulties they are having.

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