Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I echo Senator Cummins's point on access. It is a key point. This is one measure in a whole range that have been brought forward in the last year to support businesses. This one in particular has been changed to include the farming and food processing sectors, which is very welcome but the key thing is to be able to get access to it. The banks need to be held accountable for that. I encourage the Minister of State to keep engaging with the Minister for Finance on that in order that we ensure it gets down to people. From an agricultural perspective, farmers are never slow to borrow money to invest in their land and put money back in. After the challenges of Brexit in recent years, they are still willing to take risks and invest locally.I ask the Minister of State to engage on that.

As for the shortness of the debate, I can understand the frustration. We had a good debate on Second Stage of the Bill last week. The key is to get the scheme to businesses and the people who need it as quickly as possible. We have sought a motion in the regard for the Bill's earlier signature by the President. I understand Senator Higgins's concern but the key is to get the money to people quickly.