Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

This motion calls on the Government to introduce a loan guarantee scheme for small and medium-sized businesses based on a realistic operational system. When I hear my colleagues on the Government side questioning how it can be done and how much it would cost, it is clear they did not read the motion thoroughly. Deputy Perry spelled out clearly how it was not an open door but a scheme that would be guaranteed and maintained.

It is also ironic the Government questions the logic of such a scheme when it has already committed up to €100 billion to save the banks, of which €40 billion went to Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society, which will never create one job.

It is welcome some Members opposite realise local authority rates are a burden which must be dealt with. They have also realised many family businesses are keeping themselves afloat by raiding their savings. This is not good enough. The Government promised the introduction of a support scheme for small businesses last January. Unfortunately, last week the Taoiseach told the Dáil this scheme was a non-runner.

Everyone can talk about the issues but action and creating jobs is the only way this country will ever get out of its present mess. It is not good enough when one thinks of all the jobs once provided by furniture manufacturing, bacon processing and retail in County Monaghan which have been lost. In September 2009, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, promised a wall of cash would be available once NAMA came into existence. As we all know now, the opposite is the case.

Up to 2,000 similar schemes to this one have been introduced in 100 countries. Ireland is the only one in Europe not to have such a scheme. Will the Minister of State think again about voting against this motion tonight?

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