Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. The value of the legislative framework is to make explicitly plain the parameters for the parties. I accept that people have recourse to the courts and can sue. Part of the logic behind this initiative is to minimise recourse to that type of procedure for time and expense concerns and to give comfort and certainty to contractors that moneys will be paid. My view differs from the Minister. I believe that it is necessary to insert in the legislation an explicit provision that the party must pay the amount in full. Such a provision would strengthen the legislation and goes to the heart of the reason and rationale for introducing the Bill.