Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

Fifteen months ago the Ceann Comhairle suspended me from the House for unruly behaviour when I challenged the Taoiseach's claims of a wall of cash being available in the economy. While the Ceann Comhairle was right then, the Taoiseach certainly was not. Coming from a small business background, I knew there was no credit available and many small businesses were going to the wall.

It is still happening. The banks continue to run the country while repairing their balance sheets. When my local bank branch shut down, I was told to use the local post office for certain transactions. Recently, I went to the post office to settle my credit card bill for €1,000 with cash only to be told such a transaction could not be carried out there until 15 November. When I went to the bank's regional branch, I was informed it could not take cash for the payment because it was now a cashless bank. When I told the bank official I had just lodged a cheque from Revenue for €4,000 which could be offset against this, I was told it would clear the payment for the amount owed on the card, €1,000, but the remainder would not be cleared for another five days. This five-day rule for clearing cheques is ridiculous. It is obvious the banks are controlling the Government's actions. The sooner the Government wakes up to this the better.

Many people cannot sell their assets and release credit because they are competing with NAMA-held assets. I know one man who wanted to purchase a factory site near me. He was warned by his accountant not to buy it as there would be many more empty sites around the country for half nothing because of NAMA.

Those who are trying to work their way out of this recession receive no support. Many businesses have been forced on a three-day week with some staff on a two-day week. The Government has to pick up the tab for this through lower PRSI contributions and welfare payments. Will the Government give these companies financial support to get back to full-time work instead of funding them through welfare?

It is time the Government got real. It has been all talk for the past 15 months while many businesses have shut down and their employees joined the dole. Those who invested their time and every penny they ever had in their small or medium-sized enterprise have not survived. The Government has done nothing for these innovators. Instead, it gave them the two fingers and told them they are on their own.

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