With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 52 and 53 together.
There is no question of a directive having been issued by the Government to the Central Bank or any other Government agency regarding overdrawn accounts or the restriction of credit on such accounts.
I have been in touch continually with the Central Bank, and through it with the Irish Banks' Standing Committee, as regards the banking and credit situation generally. It must be appreciated that there was a vast accumulation of work over the many months during which the banks were closed and that the task of bringing banking records up to date has been a long and tedious one.
It was to be expected that some difficulties would arise in the course of this unprecedented operation but various reports on the subject have been exaggerated and have given rise to undue public concern. I have found no reason to believe that credit conditions applied following the re-opening of the banks have affected business or employment in any significant way.
The extent of overdraft accommodation to individual private businesses and customers following the re-opening is a matter between them and their banks. The banks have stated that any case of difficulty will get a sympathetic hearing on an approach being made to the bank manager by the firm or person concerned. I am assured that persons having a genuine case will be dealt with reasonably.