113 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by sub-contractors in the construction sector when main contractors go into receivership, both in regard to unpaid contracts and difficulties in retrieving equipment and tools from construction sites; his plans to provide protection for sub-contractors in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2523/11]

As I outlined in my reply to Question No. 46 on Thursday 2 December 2010, my colleague, Mr. Brian Lenihan T.D, Minister for Finance is, on behalf of the Government, supporting Senator Feargal Quinn's Construction Contracts Bill 2010 (No. 21 of 2010) which is currently before the Seanad. The main objective of the Bill is to provide a payment and adjudication mechanism to resolve payment disputes between contractors and sub-contractors for work done under construction contracts.