Covid-19: Ex-Gratia Payments & Public Works Contracts: “It’s the Difference between Charity and Entitlement”

Having considered the OGP’s latest publications on the ‘Covid Co-operation Framework’, which proposes ex-gratia payments for the costs of implementing measures on construction sites required under the ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’, the sentiment of that line remains!
‘Claims’ Is Not A Dirty Word, It Is Your Entitlement

Peter McCarthy, Principal, McCarthy Dispute resolution, writes that in an industry where profit margins are small if contractors don’t get paid their entitlements, they will quickly go out of business.
Reducing Covid-19 Losses – A Future State Of Readiness

Vincent Sorohan, Director, Real Estate Advisory, Deloitte Ireland, sets out some of the steps that those operating in the construction sector need to take to reduce or recoup losses accrued as a result of the Covid-19 shutdown.
Leadership In The Face Of Covid-19

Stephanie Good, People & Organisation Consulting, PwC Ireland, discusses both the immediate and longer-term actions that leaders in the construction industry should take to emerge in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis.
Weathering The Storm

Paddy O’Connell, Director, RSM, sets out some of the issues management should be considering to chart a sustainable path for their businesses as the industry emerges from the Covid-19 shutdown.
“Resolution Of Costs And Delays Will Rest On Engagement And Contract Provisions”

As everyone involved in projects at this difficult time will be aware, the construction industry is facing a litany of novel issues courtesy of the Covid-19 emergency, and the unprecedented measures taken by Government to deal with it.
“Private Contractors, on Public Works Contracts, Do Not Get Gifts or Favours from Government”

Private Contractors on public works contracts do not get gifts or favours from the Government. For this reason, the publishing by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) of a draft letter of agreement dealing with ‘ex gratia payments from Employers’ to Contractors, can only be cautiously welcomed.
Construction Industry on Track to Have the Lowest Recorded Workplace Fatalities This Year

The construction industry is on track to have the lowest recorded workplace fatalities this year, with two recorded deaths in 2019. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) reports 164 non-fatal workplace incidents in construction from January to June 2019.
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has officially launched Construction Safety Week 2019, which will run from 21st to 25th October.
Implementation is Now Key for Project Ireland 2040

Comment by Jeanette Mair, Economic and Policy Research Executive, Construction Industry Federation In the bruhaha around the communications of Project Ireland 2040, very little media commentary focused on how this transformative plan will be implemented. The visionary plan is contingent on regional construction companies being in a position to deliver the housing and infrastructure required […]
“DELAYS WITH THE ATHENRY APPLE DATA CENTRE DEMONSTRATE PROBLEMS WITH OUR PLANNING SYSTEM”

Justin Molloy, Regional Director, CIF Western & Midland Region outlines the necessary changes that must be made to Ireland’s planning system to protect and secure investment. The function of our planning system is to regulate our built environment in the interests of the common good and in line with our planning legislation. Using a hierarchy […]