Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

There has been a change of attitude on the part of the banks. I dealt with seven businesses yesterday that had been called in by the banks. These were legitimate businesses, well run, where nobody had stepped out of line and they borrowed the money on a variable rate. They were called in along with their accountants. The banks make projections as to what the income of those businesses will be for 2010 and then decide how much to impose on top of the borrowing rate. People who have run their businesses well and took the risk in borrowing at variable rates are now being screwed by the banks, as the Tánaiste is aware, since some of them have been in contact with her.

Is the facility for declined cases operational in the Department of Finance? It was supposed to be, but I cannot find any trace of it. Does the Tánaiste not agree that there is a real crunch with Irish business in respect of working capital and if so, given her close relationships with the Minister for Finance and the Central Bank, can she name three initiatives the Government is taking to help small business get credit?

Does the Tánaiste see any relevance now in the proposal put forward by Deputy Richard Bruton for a national recovery bank which would inject a new stream of money into the Irish system, as has happened in other countries - with the chief executives coming before the Oireachtas committee and saying they will not lend any facilities they receive through NAMA back to Irish business? I know the Tánaiste is acutely aware of many businesses that are on the line because they cannot get working capital. I asked her what extra money the taxpayer will have to provide in the context of bank recapitalisation. Some €11 billion was injected last year. Will it be €5 billion, €6 billion, €7 billion or €10 billion since rumours are floating around about the vast sums that will have to be put up as recapitalisation? The Tánaiste is talking to the Central Bank and the Minister for Finance and the Government has to have a view on this.

What is the Government's estimate of the figure needed for further recapitalisation of the banks that will have to be put up by the already downbeaten taxpayer?

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