Firms fail to meet pay obligations: Sargent

A NEW controversy over underpayment in the construction industry could have as far-reaching consequences as the Gama episode, Green Party leader Trevor Sargent claimed yesterday.

Mr Sargent was speaking as a convoy of construction lorries arrived outside the gates of the Dáil in Kildare Street, Dublin, as part of a protest against alleged underpayment to building subcontractors on local authority housing projects.

In all, representatives of 12 small companies protested yesterday. They contend they are still awaiting payment from the contractor companies.