Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left)
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25. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the appointment of the chairman for the panel of adjudicators will go before the Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; when the Construction Contracts Act 2013 will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18358/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to the earliest possible implementation of the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 and, as a consequence, approved the delegation of responsibility for its implementation to my colleague the Minister of State for Business and Employment last November. I am informed that Minister Nash intends to appoint a Chairperson of the Ministerial Panel of Adjudicators, which is to be established under the Act, as soon as is practicable, having regard to procedural and contractual considerations.

The necessary work is continuing on the preparations for the full implementation of the Act, as the commencement of the Act is dependent on a number of factors set out in the legislation. These factors include the appointment of a Panel of Adjudicators by Minister Nash. The selection of the adjudicators for this Panel will be achieved through an open competitive process to be arranged by the Public Appointments Service, at the earliest opportunity. Minister Nash is also overseeing the preparation of a Code of Practice for the conduct of adjudications, which will be binding on all adjudicators operating under the Act. The drafting of the Code is at an advanced stage and will be finalised after consultations have concluded with the relevant construction industry stakeholders.

Once the preparatory arrangements have been finalised, a date for implementation of the Act will be announced in advance to provide sufficient notice to those affected by the Act's provisions.