Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I call on the Leader to request the Minister for Finance to come before the House to outline the agreement or understanding the Government has in place with banks regarding the support of small and medium businesses with existing loans. There have been incredibly disturbing accounts with regard to people who are trying their very best to keep their businesses afloat and their employees in jobs. A relative of one such business owner recently related to me an account of a telephone call the latter had received from a bank. During the conversation the business owner in question was informed that his overdraft was being withdrawn and that his loan was being called in. Thereafter he received three telephone calls a day informing him that the bank wanted its money back. When one receives the first such call, one knows the bank wants its money back. Telephoning someone three times each day borders on harassment, bullying and intimidation. Such behaviour is certainly not in keeping with the message being conveyed to the Government by the banks to the effect that they are extending support, sympathy and empathy to businesses. The banks have indicated that they are extending every support possible to businesses and individual mortgage holders. From what I have heard, I do not believe the case to which I refer is an isolated one. I ask the Leader to request the Minister to come before the House in order that he might place on record the understanding or agreement the Government believes it has with the banks on supporting people in these difficult economic times.