Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 4 Jun 1998

Vol. 491 No. 7

Written Answers. - Prompt Payment of Accounts.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

148 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself that the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997, which came into force on 1 January 1998, is being implemented by all relevant bodies and authorities under his aegis; if all systems are in place to ensure that the 45 day limit for payments is being met; if not, if interest is being paid; the complaints, if any, he has received regarding non-payment on time; if he has sought an interim report on the way in which the legislation is working during the last six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13236/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I am satisfied that the prompt payment Act is being implemented by the bodies and authorities under the aegis of my Department. Furthermore, I am informed that systems are in place to ensure that payments are made to suppliers within the timeframe prescribed in the Act. Procedures are in place to pay interest to suppliers when it is appropriate to do so. To date I have not received any complaints regarding late payments. I will be furnished with a report on my Department's experience of implementing this legislation on an annual basis in accordance with the audit requirements set out in the Act. The annual reports of state bodies will also include details of their payment procedures.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

149 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself that the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997, which came into force on 1 January 1998, is being implemented by all relevant bodies and authorities under his aegis; if all systems are in place to ensure that the 45 day limit for payments is being met; if not, if interest is being paid; the complaints, if any, he has received regarding non-payment on time; if he has sought an interim report on the way in which the legislation is working during the last six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13237/98]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I am satisfied that my Department and the bodies under the aegis of my Department are implementing the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act. Systems are in place to ensure that the 45 day limit is being met and to identify those cases where the limit is not being met. In those cases, of which there have been very few to date, the appropriate interest payments have been made. I am not aware of any complaints about late payments having been made by my Department or by any of the bodies under the aegis of my Department. While in these circumstances I see no need to seek an interim report on the operation of this Act, my Department is required by section 12(2) of the Act to lodge with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment an annual review of its payment practice. A copy of this review will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.