John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is not what I am saying. I am pointing to the opportunities available within the economy.

We have introduced a range of initiatives to assist business, including the micro-finance fund, the loan guarantee scheme and the credit guarantee scheme. A sum of €4 billion has been targeted for bank lending. We are constantly meeting the financial institutions to discuss how people can be facilitated to access finance. We are engaged in an uphill recovery programme and it is a very difficult job. There is no doubt, however, that progress is being made. This week I met several business people in Limerick who are confident the situation is stabilising. Notwithstanding the challenges that remain, jobs are being created in the economy.

See this speech in context