Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

The Bill's main purpose is to provide a mechanism whereby prior notice of an intention to withhold sums from payments otherwise due must be given, or payments must be made in full. In addition, it proposes an adjudication procedure to deal quickly with disputes about payments.

The Bill is described in its explanatory and financial memorandum presented by Senator Feargal Quinn as being "in ease of persons along the chain in the construction sector who may suffer unduly where an entity under a superior contract would find itself withholding payment unilaterally without cause".

The Government is sympathetic to the initiative taken by Senator Feargal Quinn, welcoming the general policy approach underlying the Bill and that it should be taken further as soon as possible.