Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

First, on the substance of the question pertaining to the draft document, Your Business Your Bank, I repeat this comprehensive document will be published soon. I believe it will assist businesses when they prepare applications for loans from banks. As for the broader debate on credit availability to small and medium-sized businesses, the Government acknowledged and realised some time ago that there would be difficulties in the context of credit availability to small and medium-sized businesses. That is the reason that on 29 September 2008, the Government took a very difficult and brave decision to ensure there at least would be a functioning banking system that could make available the infrastructure to permit lending to small and medium-sized businesses.

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