Bank reps face questions on business-lending policies

Representatives from Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank and AIB are due before the Jobs Committee to face questions about their lending policies to small firms.

Their appearance today is part of the committee's hearings on access to finance for small and medium sized enterprises.

Business groups say many firms across Ireland are finding it difficult to access credit from banks.

Chairman of the committee Deputy Damien English said: "The banks claim they are making credit available but a lot of the businesses we talk to say they can't get access to credit.

"Credit is a tool of business in any modern economic environment. We have to have credit available. It's our job as a committee to make sure it's happening, wither through the banks or through other means of accessing credit."