The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has called on the Government to name a date for when the Construction Contracts Act will take effect.

The Construction Contracts Act was drawn up to help improve the payment process in the construction industry, an issue which has particularly impacted on sub contractors throughout the sector.

Despite being enacted by the Oireachtas and signed into law by the Government in July 2013, the legislation is yet to take effect. The CIF believes the delay in enacting the Bill is damaging the industry, particularly the sub contracting sector and has called on the Government to declare a date for when the industry can expect the legislation to actually start making an impact.

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"Four years to the date since this legislation was first brought into the Oireachtas, we still have not received word as to when it will actually take effect," said CIF Director General Tom Parlon. "That's despite the legislation being signed into law and passed through the Oireacthas last July. Yet the industry is still wondering when this law will actually begin to have meaning and start making a difference to the industry.

"This legislation is badly needed in the Irish construction industry. We are still seeing payments being held up throughout the sector and this is having a particularly detrimental impact on sub contractors. This law received strong political support from all sides of the political spectrum because it was obvious there was a problem with payments in the industry. So why the Government continues to delay something that will help solve this problem seems bizarre.

"The industry is just looking for clarity from the Government on this legislation. All that is missing is the commencement date. By announcing a commencement date it will give sub contractors and the rest of the industry a timeline to work with. The uncertainty as to when, or if, this legislation will take effect is simply clouding the issue and it exacerbating a problem that the legislation was meant to solve," Mr. Parlon concluded.

(CD/IT)