Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to address the first grouping, comprising amendments Nos. 1 and 2. Amendment No. 1 provides for the exclusion of mining and drilling operations from the scope of the Bill. Section 1(1)(g) included mining and exploration as construction activities. These activities should not have been included, as similar activities are specifically excluded from the definition of "construction activities" under EU Directive 2004/18/EC, which relates to procurement procedures for the award of public works contracts. It was not the intention to include such activities, as it is our understanding that there is no evidence of payment disputes in this specific area of construction. Given the potential of such sectors, a further regulatory impact analysis would need to occur before a decision could be taken.

Amendment No. 2 allocates the responsibility for policy and administration of legislation to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This is a standard provision.