Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to hear that the restart grant can be used specifically to cover costs that have accrued while the business was closed. My second question relates to borrowing, and I have previously spoken about the issue of rates. The Government can borrow at less than 1%, yet we are charging between 4% and 5% over the lifetime of the loan. Why are we so out of kilter with our European partners? What is the reason for this? Is it to protect our banks and their profitability?

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