Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I would not be as enthusiastic in complimenting Senator Quinn on this Bill as other Members. It is convenient to have a short memory about the issues that affected the decisions taken at the time to admit business people to this country. While the scheme may have been brought into disrepute on some occasions, generally speaking, it was extremely attractive and ensured jobs were maintained and created. In a period when interest rates were in the region of 17%, this loan scheme allowed rates of about 2.5%.