Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

There are mistakes and errors in the system. Although Mr. John Trethowan and his staff are doing a very good job, many are not aware of the office. They do not know they can submit an appeal when they are refused credit. Perhaps more use might be made of this facility. Mr. Trethowan, a former banker, is a good and practical man.

Everything is so centralised in the two pillar banks that there is no longer a reliance on the local bank manager. One of the inherent flaws in the system is that the authorities in Dublin are calling the shots. I accept that in the case of AIB everything goes through the county business centres. I have nothing against the people who work in them, but they often come from other areas. They do not know the credit rating or the history of some of the businesses with which they are dealing. There is not a need for what they bring to the process, as they are too concerned with red tape. The banks need to return to the system under which they used to be able to receive a quick report and a recommendation from the local bank manager. He or she is usually a person of experience who has come up the ranks and spent several years in banking. I know this subject is close to the Minister of State's heart, but I suggest it needs monitoring. I am aware that some other Ministers have an interest in this area and perhaps the Minister of State could liaise with them or with the Department of Finance on this. He needs to ride shotgun on the lenders and should have a system of monitoring.

With regard to the move to assist the cash flow and working capital of small businesses, I welcome the initiative to extend the 15-day prompt payment initiative beyond the 15 central Departments to the wider public sector for invoices received after 1 July 2011. I note that the advisory group's report recommends the development of a voluntary code of conduct and payments within the private sector aimed at reducing payment terms. This is vital. I also agree with the two previous speakers, Senators Cummins and Ann O'Brien, with regard to what they said about the county enterprise boards. We must find ways to increase links in that regard because businesses and start-ups are not availing of or relying on the boards. This may be due to a lack of communication and perhaps this is something the Minister of State can aim to improve.