Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Businesses have to decide what suits their financial planning. The facility is available and easily accessed and I have heard no complaints about people being unable to access it, but availing of it must be in line with their financial requirements. If someone borrows money, he or she still has to pay it back. Businesses are considering it and it is available to them. As we get closer to the Brexit deadline, more businesses may avail of it. I encourage businesses to do so just in case they need the facility. Were I a business person, though, I would first want to ensure borrowing was in line with my financial capabilities.

I met Commissioner Vestager last week. We outlined to her clearly the difficulties that Ireland would be presented with by Brexit, be it a no-deal one or otherwise. There is nothing good about Brexit for many Irish businesses. The Commissioner was very conscious of Ireland's special situation in terms of the challenges it now faces.

We had been doing a lot of work with her. She did say that the EU remains ready to assist in any way it can.

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