Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I support the concerns expressed by a number of Members regarding the evening rural transport scheme which is due to expire on 10 July 2009. It was a pilot scheme initiated approximately seven years ago at a cost of €500,000, which is relatively small given the benefit accrued from the service provided. The service is being provided in rural parts of west Donegal and is used during the day by people going to collect their pensions and social welfare payments and in the evening to attend bingo and other community events in the local area. The withdrawal of this service would result in the isolation of these people in their homes in the evenings. I am aware the Minister for Transport met yesterday with some of the groups concerned. It is hoped a positive outcome in this regard can be achieved. I support the call for a debate on the matter in this House before the summer recess, if possible next week.

I wish also to raise the issue of the availability of finance to small and medium enterprises from financial institutions, of which there is none. Many SMEs across the country - I know of many in my constituency - that have employed people down through the years and have healthy cash flows cannot obtain finance from the banks, be it bridging loans or other finance required. The decision-making process while previously a function of the local bank manager has been centralised to Dublin and is causing grief and pain for many businesses. This is an issue we must address in this House perhaps by way of a debate with the Minister for Finance prior to the summer recess, if possible.