Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy asked me two questions. Regarding his first one as to why I did not commence the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Act immediately, I engaged in consultation with the affected people. Deputy Catherine Murphy, who is present in the Chamber, will confirm that there is a requirement to have a lead-in time for people to make necessary arrangements. I notified everybody in writing of that fact on 17 April, five days after the President signed the Bill. I wrote to the Deputy's leader on 17 April confirming that legislation would come into effect on 1 July and I never heard a word about it objecting to, or demurring, that.

In regard to the Construction Contracts Act, which is important legislation, credit is due, as the Deputy rightly said, to Senator Feargal Quinn for the Trojan work he did. I decided to take that work on. It required very substantial amendment and Senator Quinn worked with us in doing that. We have enacted it but there are real issues to be agreed by all the stakeholders and it is the stakeholders who have been engaged in that process. I want to commence this Act as soon as is practicable.

See this speech in context