The company to which the Deputy refers is not the principal contractor on the project at St Patrick's Teacher Training College (St. Pat's), Drumcondra. While my Department funds the project, the contract with the principal contractor is between the authorities of St Pat's and the principal contractor. Since my Department is not a party to the contract it has no relationship with either the principal contractor or sub-contractors. Likewise the authorities of St Pat's have no relationship with sub-contractors.
CAS - my Department's contracted service agency for carrying out random compliance audits - visited the St Pat's site in October 2013. CAS carried out compliance checks on the main contractor and four sub-contractors on site at that time. No major issues were identified.
My Department requested that the College Authorities of St. Pat's raise with the principal contractor concerns that could lead to industrial relations difficulties. The request was complied with. I similarly wrote to the principal contractor in question urging that appropriate measures be taken to resolve any contentious or potentially contentious industrial relations issues.
