Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Fianna Fáil and, in particular, Deputy Niall Collins, for allowing me some of his time to contribute to this important debate. I also thank Fianna Fáil for bringing this motion before the House. It is vitally important we debate the financing of small business. An SME-focused new bank would be a worthwhile venture. I speak on this issue as someone who has been involved in small business for many years. I was 17 years old the first time I borrowed money from a bank. I have been borrowing ever since. I know the importance and value of being able to borrow money.

We have come full circle in that the banks who were throwing money at individuals and businesses in the past are no longer lending. It is not true to say that there is money available to small businesses. I know from personal experience that it is not. Decisions being taken by this Government are detrimental to small businesses. I will give an example. We are all against smoking. The plain packaging proposal by this Government will lead to job losses in that people who up to now purchased their cigarettes in shops will now buy them on the black market. I have no doubt that the number of people purchasing illegal cigarettes will increase and that the footfall for shops will decrease, resulting in job losses. I am 100% sure of that.

Other decisions are being taken by this Government which are detrimental to small business. For example, the HSE, in terms of its being over-anxious with inspections, is not doing anything to help small businesses. Most of the people involved in food preparation have been doing so all their lives. They know what needs to be done and the standards that must be met yet inspectors are breathing down their necks every hour of the day and night and insisting on all types of paperwork being available at all times. This is putting an additional burden of cost on small businesses.

A new bank that would focus on SMEs is a worthwhile proposal. I compliment Fianna Fail on bringing the proposal forward.

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