Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for State for his reply. I welcome the fact the Credit Review Office has overturned 60% of decisions. Many SMEs in my constituency that have been dealing with the banks and that have restructured their loans find it difficult to deal with the banks after restructuring. They feel they have been blacklisted and there is no point in them going to the Credit Review Office. That is a problem and the entire credit rating system should be examined. If we are to move forward, we do not need to place debt upon debt. Many of these businesses are doing okay but they need some cash flow. When an overdraft is converted into a long-term loan to a business, the business is being starved of cash flow. Something should be done to ensure these people have some sort of overdraft. I welcome the overturning of 60% of decisions but we must examine the credit rating system because we are in different times and it is now outdated.

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