Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

I am not arguing that money should be advanced to companies that are not viable. The Minister of State and I know there are plenty of viable companies that are being squeezed to the point that they may not be viable. It almost becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy in that the domestic economy will suffer if we do not reinforce viable companies. Plenty of them are being impacted negatively by the banks. I would not argue for a guarantee although where a company is marginal I can see the benefit of a guarantee. In the first instance the money was put into the banks to allow solid companies to continue in business and continue to employ people. I know people in viable small and medium-sized businesses who are concerned about their viability because of the dysfunctional relationship they have with their banks.

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