John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

Fourteen Departments have paid between 96% and 100% of their invoices within 30 days and this Department has paid 91% of invoices within 30 days. I would be delighted if compliance with the 30-day rule was implemented in the private sector because that would be a great benefit for the viability of small companies. That is not the case currently. The Departments are setting a good example and I am pleased with how they are operating the rules currently. It is clear they are taking the advice of the State and paying the invoices of small companies that are the backbone of our economy, the bulk of them within 30 days and quite a number within 15 days. That is very encouraging. Therefore, administrative sanctions would not be recommended currently, because there is significant compliance.

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