Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The amendment is in response to an amendment proposed by Deputy Peader Tóibín on Report Stage in the Dáil when I indicated that I would afford further consideration to it. I introduce amendment No. 51 to address the issues raised.

The proposed amendment broadens the scope of the information the Workplace Relations Commission may disclose to a public contracting authority. As previously drafted, the section restricted disclosure to information on non-compliance with employment legislation in relation only to the main contractor engaged by the public contracting authority. The amendment will extend the legislative basis for disclosure to include subcontractors. The extended provision will give greater scope to public contracting authorities to make effective use of the standard provision in public works contracts to withhold payment or part payment of moneys where there is evidence of non-compliance with employment legislation by either a primary or a secondary contractor engaged on the contract in question. The amendment meets the issue raised by Deputy Peader Tóibín.