Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

For the record, from 1997 to 2008 the workforce increased from a little under 1 million to 2.2 million. I presume that happened by some act of God that had nothing whatsoever to do with Fianna Fáil. There are still 1.8 million employed despite, or in spite of, all the difficulties facing those who are unemployed. Even the loss of one job creates its own distress, both for the individual and also for his or her family. Not only that, it also trickles down into the local community.

My friend and colleague, Senator White has been consistent in her criticism of what she believes to be the lack of credit being made available to SMEs. A rather interesting exchange took place about two weeks ago in this House. As a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, the economic affairs sub-committee met both ISME's Mr. Mark Fielding and the representative of the Small Firms Association which, I believe, is attached to IBEC. As I said to Senator White following the meeting, we came away more confused than informed. Mr. Fielding, for whom I have the highest regard, was able to cite specific examples of firms which were in extreme difficulty and were not only failing to get credit but also having their overdraft facilities converted into term loans, yet the Small Firms' Association stated that all the Government targets on bank lending had been met. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, was in the House and he also made the same statement, which was challenged by Senator White because of anecdotal evidence. Perhaps the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, who I trust will forgive me my bad manners in that I should have welcomed him to the House at the outset of my contribution, might have a view on that. He has hit the ground running and is doing the best job he can in difficult circumstances. I wish him continued success in that regard.