David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

There must be an element of risk taken by the State to ensure that companies in need of support receive it. I know that we must cover costs. I also know that there are administration costs and that the State bears a cost by giving the guarantee and we genuinely accept that. All Senators must also ensure that we protect the State from any liability. Given what the scheme is obliged to do and the logic behind it is to assist companies that need support, and in some cases they will be able to expand and employ people, then every available support should be given.

I welcome the clarifications given by the Minister of State but I do not see that they would prevent us from accepting the amendment. It is in the nature of businesses to take risks and he knows that because he was a businessman. There are a number of business people in the House. Entrepreneurs and business people take risks and sometimes the State must take a risk with them. If it did it would enable more viable and sustainable companies to be created and more jobs would be sustained. While I accept his clarifications I still do not see them as justification for not accepting the amendments and I outlined my reasons. It is for that reason, and I will not comment again on the amendment, that I will press the amendments.