Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

It really helps to bring people together to ensure that they appreciate the other sides of the argument and how they can work together instead of being adversaries. Third, Enterprise Ireland facilitated the transfer of some personnel between the banks to ensure the experience and expertise on business and business decisions would be made available. That has happened and is ongoing. Fourth, we introduced the Mazars report and, following on from that, a further Mazars report.

Following on from that, it is important to make several points. On my behalf, Forfás, my Department and Enterprise Ireland are examining the potential of a loan guarantee scheme. We are working very closely with the Minister for Finance and his Department to ensure that, in the context of further work within the banking system, access to working capital for businesses will be to the forefront of that decision making. In the context of the European 2020 programme, access to working capital and venture capital is very important and one of the key drivers of many discussions that are taking place at EU level. I will pursue this vigorously and we will continue to be vociferous in seeking to ensure fairness and equity in supporting business.

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