Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2011
196 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to introduce the Construction Contracts Bill into Dáil Éireann this term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24882/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra201 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to introduce the Construction Contracts Bill to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25011/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 201 together.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce new legislation to protect small building subcontractors that have been denied payments from bigger companies. In addition, you may be aware that the Construction Contracts Bill 2010 was introduced by Senator Feargal Quinn and passed Committee and remaining stages in the Seanad on 8 March 2011. It is now before the Dáil.
In this regard, my colleague Minister of State Mr Brian Hayes is working with Senator Quinn to continue a collaborative approach in regard to advancing the Bill. The Senator's Bill is a welcome initiative and I understand that Minister Hayes and Senator Quinn held a meeting with relevant stakeholders and opposition spokespersons on 28th June 2011. This consultation highlighted a number of matters relating to the Bill that required further consideration and that have been taken into account in the Regulatory Impact Assessment which is being finalised in my Department at present.
These steps will make it possible to bring proposals to Government about how to progress this legislation. It is intended to have the legislation progress in the Dáil in the current session. It is important that a solution to the problem of non-payment in the construction sector must not place an unnecessary regulatory or cost burden on the parties to the dispute, other parties involved in the project, or the State.
