Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

By way of general practice, the Government has set down specific targets for the banks' lending to small and medium enterprises. We have spoken directly to the banks about how they are meeting those targets and we intend to do so again in the near future. In respect of difficulties that arise with the operation of that initiative in practice, Deputy Ó Cuív will be aware that the Credit Review Office of the Department of Finance has responsibility for liaising with the banking system and individual banks and can deal with the kind of issues raised by Deputy Ó Cuív. I expect that if the banks have changed their policies in this area, the matter can be pursued through the Credit Review Office.

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