John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has consulted all parties concerned regarding the Construction Contracts Bill 2010; his intentions relative to this Bill; the way he intends to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22321/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce new legislation to protect small building subcontractors that have been denied payments from bigger companies. In addition, you may be aware that the Construction Contracts Bill 2010 was introduced by Senator Feargal Quinn and passed Committee and remaining stages in the Seanad on 8 March 2011. It is now before the Dáil.

In this regard, my colleague Minister of State Mr. Brian Hayes recently met with Senator Feargal Quinn with a view to continuing a collaborative approach in regard to advancing the Construction Contracts Bill 2010. The Senator's Bill is a welcome initiative and I understand that Minister Hayes has agreed to work closely with the Senator in bringing the matter forward.

I also understand that Minister Hayes and Senator Quinn held a meeting with relevant stakeholders and opposition spokespersons on 28th June. This consultation highlighted a number of matters relating to the Bill that require further consideration. In light of this, a Regulatory Impact Assessment of the Bill is now underway in my Department.

Following these steps, it will be possible to bring proposals to the Government about how we should progress this legislation. It is intended to have the legislation before in the Dáil in the next session.

It is important that a solution to the problem of non-payment in the construction sector must not place an unnecessary regulatory or cost burden on the parties to the dispute, other parties involved in the project, or the State.