Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Fitzmaurice raises a valid point. I suggest that some of those small businesses and individuals who feel they are being overcharged by banks should raise the matter with the Credit Review Office, which is an independent authority as ombudsman. I get the impression the Deputy is talking about somebody building a house in rural Ireland who does so through subcontractors or by piece work, although one would write more than six cheques to do that, according to people who work in that business.

The Government has a very clear policy about the promotion of SMEs, access to credit for SMEs and the setting up of the local enterprise offices in order that SMEs can do business, set up a business, hire people and make it easier for business to be conducted. The banks have their individual policies and, in respect of mortgages and other issues, people are advised to check the possibility of switching from one bank to another for the offers and benefits they may get. I suppose debit cards are an invitation to continue debiting and, clearly, there are charges and a cost for that.

I suggest this is an issue that should receive some focus from the Credit Review Office and from the Central Bank, which regulates the banking system. If the Deputy wants to give me details of the person he mentioned, I would be happy to follow it up for him.

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