314. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the Construction Contracts Act 2013, having been signed into law, will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34408/15]

The Government is committed to the earliest possible implementation of the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 and in order to achieve this, approved the delegation of responsibility for its implementation to me as Minister for Business and Employment, late last year.

I am taking all the necessary steps to bring about implementation of the legislation as speedily as possible and significant progress has been made to date.

I appointed Dr. Nael G. Bunni as Chairperson of the Construction Contracts Adjudication Panel in July this year. The Public Appointments Service is, at my request, conducting an open competitive process for the selection of members of the Panel of Adjudicators. I will appoint suitably qualified candidates to the Panel as soon as is practicable following completion of the assessment process by the Public Appointments Service.

I am reviewing a draft Code of Practice for the conduct of adjudications which is required under the legislation and the relevant stakeholders will be consulted prior to the publication of the Code by Statutory Instrument.

Once these preparatory arrangements have been completed, a date for implementation of the Act will be announced in advance in order to provide sufficient notice to those affected by its provisions.