Incidents of contractors and subcontractors in the construction industry being unable to secure payment are likely to continue if the Construction Contracts Bill continues to be delayed, according to the Construction Industry Federation.

The Bill is supposed to ensure contractors and subcontractors receive proper and prompt payments for their work.

But the CIF says the delay in passing this legislation is increasing the pressure on construction operatives and construction workers.

"What we saw at Kilfinane National School is a further example of what is happening in the construction industry throughout the country," says CIF Director General Tom Parlon.

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"Subcontractors and main contractors are having problems securing payments and that is leading to long, unresolved disputes which are putting construction workers under huge financial pressure and stress.

"While we will not condone the taking of materials from any school, subcontractors are being driven to take drastic measures. On a variety of projects around the country they are going without pay for work they have already done, for materials they have supplied and for the staff they have hired. The legislative gap is making it very difficult for construction workers at all levels to put bread on the table and look after their families."

The Construction Contracts Bill was introduced on 12 May 2010.

"Unfortunately 925 days have now elapsed since then," said Mr Parlon.

"That’s 2 years, 6 months and 25 days. You'd think that would be a sufficiently long period for any piece of legislation to be agreed, drafted, debated and signed into law.

"Yet the latest we are hearing is that it will not reach the next stage of the legislative process until next year.

He concluded: "Once the Construction Contracts Bill is enacted incidents like those in Kilfinane should be a thing of the past."

(IT/GK)