John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I do not believe the story about the banks because it is not happening. Despite what the Minister of State might say and the guarantees, and I met John Threthowan last week, the money is not getting through. I refer to the EIF finance that is available in Europe. Is it not a fact that money is available and that the Minister of State's Department did not respond to the CE boards with regard to the availability of funds, namely, between €5,000 and €25,000 for small companies, that can be accessed? That is not happening. Can the Minister explain the reason the Government did not have proactive discussions with the EIF in Europe where cash products and loan guarantees are available? Those funds are available in Europe and this Government has done nothing to access that fund. The Minister should forget about the banks. The banks are not doing the business. That is the question.

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