Business groups welcome measures but call for monitoring

THE burden on taxpayers is “horrifying,” according to Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, but €6 billion NAMA measures on bank lending have been welcomed by Irish business groups.

Specific lending targets imposed on banks must be enforced, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) declared.

The association called on the Government to rigorously monitor the banks to ensure the commitment to increased lending is met and that viable businesses that require finance receive it.