Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The small business sector in Ireland is in crisis. There are thousands of small, indigenous Irish businesses barely hanging on, with many employing three, five, ten or 15 employees and now really struggling. The very concept of indigenous Irish business is at risk because of the failed banking strategy of the Government.

Last January the Tánaiste committed to the introduction of a loan guarantee scheme. I understand there is a great deal of messing going on between the Department of Finance and the Department Enterprise, Trade and Innovation about the introduction of the scheme. As we talk in this House about consensus and a move towards putting forward solutions for what is the greatest economic crisis that the Government has led us into, what has happened to the loan guarantee scheme?

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