Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will conclude shortly. The Government will win as it would bring some much-needed funds into the Exchequer while stimulating the SME sector. I commend the Government on the steps taken with regard to the action plan for jobs, the school building programme, the capital spending on infrastructure announced in the July stimulus plan and the micro-finance fund which was recently announced. However, let us look further than this. The current market perception of the Irish economy means that it is unlikely that any significant new banking players will enter in the near future. The resulting competition among the few can only result in continuous paralysis. Without a working banking system, we will not be able to rebuild Ireland. We must recognise how critical the role of SMEs is for economic development and do everything to address the conditions inflicted upon them. For that reason, I urge the Minister of State to earnestly consider all the proposals made here today. I thank the Minister of State and the Acting Chairman for his indulgence.