Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I want to give the House, including the Senator, the benefit of my experience. Credit is not being made available to those who are giving employment. Some 880,000 people have been employed by the small and medium employers and the people who have created the Celtic tiger over the past ten to 15 years, and they must be supported. The Finance Bill is coming to the House in the next three weeks, as Senators know. I intend to hold an all-day debate on that Bill. Following a period of calm reflection, the House can play an important role in offering assistance to the Minister when he is present in the House for the debate on the legislation. If the banks do not make credit available during the next three months, what might happen in this country prior to Christmas is unthinkable.

Everyone is aware of what is happening. Members who are canvassing for the European and local elections have heard stories from those with whom they attended school, grew up and worked. We know not only the people of the generation to which I refer but those of us who are old enough know the members of the two generations which preceded it and we are aware of the massive contribution made by those decent, hard-working families. The Government and legislators of all political persuasions owe it to people whose backs are to the wall to forego the opportunity to score political points and to instead assist them in their hour of greatest need. When things were bad in the 1970s and 1980s, emigration provided people with the opportunity to seek work elsewhere, but that opportunity no longer exists. An 87 year old man informed me in recent days that he has never known a period when small and medium-sized businesses faced so many challenges.