Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is no question of the Government sleepwalking. Every year we introduce a new initiative. This year the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland will provide new access to €800 million of credit for SMEs. We have extended the mandate of the Credit Review Office every year, so it now deals with loans of up to €3 million. Reviewing a guarantee is complex legislation because it involves the taxpayer underwriting commitments entered into by others. There are delicate legal issues that must be dealt with in introducing such legislation. We are making sure we get it right. I assure the Deputy that we are dealing with this as a matter of extreme urgency.

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