Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I wish to share time with Deputies Marcella Corcoran Kennedy and John Paul Phelan.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I compliment Senator Quinn on highlighting this issue in the construction industry and on getting the Bill to the House. As has been said previously, we are to a certain extent closing the stable door after the horse has bolted but it is important to get this right for the future to ensure a similar scenario does not arise again.

I have met several subcontractors who are experiencing difficulty because they have not been paid that to which they feel they are entitled. They feel hurt, annoyed and angry that the system has let them down. They were the principal skilled tradesmen in the industry such as block layers and tilers and those who do the ground work on building sites. They have the skills that are essential to ensuring we have a construction industry. They feel very much let down and they feel the system must be improved to ensure this does not happen again. It has been suggested that a simple way around this issue is to subject main contractors, who tend to continuously win contracts for State jobs and other large jobs, to a stipulation whereby if they have not paid subcontractors in the past, it would be included in the pre-qualification documents for a tender in order that their behaviour would catch up with them. They would be ruled of winning future contracts if they did not pay what they should have in the past. I understand that may not be practicable but it should be examined for the future. Subcontractors have skills and they must have security of payment. They buy materials and pay their staff every week and this money goes back into the community. Unfortunately, many of them are on the dole and are trying to find work.

The Bill is a step in the right direction to ensure what happened in the past will not be repeated in the future. It will ensure the most skilful in the industry will be protected in the future. I compliment the Minister of State for bringing the legislation, which I very much support, to the House.

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