Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Brennan's call for the Construction Contracts Bill to be brought to Committee Stage as soon as possible. I call on the Leader to request the Minister to include it in the schedule for the first term of the new year. In my area, I have seen the subcontractor, or "subbie", being caught all the time. They are the last payee at the end of the chain. In the Ballylynch regeneration project in Carrick-on-Suir, the main contractor went bust and at least five subcontractors were caught for sums of up to ¤40,000. In recent days, I have been contacted by a local subcontractor who was providing biomass boiler units specifically for schools and public buildings, all publicly funded contracts. He has provided biomass pellet boilers for the only two passive energy schools in Ireland and he has not been paid. He is being left high and dry. The sooner the legislation is enacted, the better.

I also raise the value for money review of the Reserve Defence Force announced by the Minister last Wednesday. That review recommended closure of the RDF unit in Clonmel. Less than a year ago, when it was announced that the Army barracks in Clonmel would close, I requested the Minister to ensure the Reserve Defence Force remained in the town. A premises was found.