Written answers

Thursday, 3 November 2011

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Proposed Legislation

3:00 pm

Photo of Dominic HanniganDominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a date has been set to introduce the Construction Contracts Bills in Dáil Éireann this term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32550/11]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan 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. My colleague Minister of State Mr Brian Hayes has been working with Senator Quinn to develop the Bill into a robust piece of legislation. In this regard, Minister Hayes and Senator Quinn met relevant stakeholders and opposition spokespersons on 28 June 2011. This consultation highlighted a number of matters relating to the Bill that required further consideration. These have been taken into account now in the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on the Bill which was published on 27 September. The Report is available on my Department's website: www.per.gov.ie/reports. I understand that a note on this issue has been circulated to all Oireachtas members.

Minister Hayes will reflect on the findings of the RIA and incorporate them into the legislative proposals which will be brought to Government shortly for approval. It is essential that the solution to this issue needs to be balanced so as to avoid imposing regulatory or cost burdens on parties in dispute, the State or others.

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