FIANNA Fail is taking rather a "nose in the air" attitude to Richard Bruton's statement this week that he is to bring forward proposals for prompt payment legislation. The party is launching its own plans for the sector on Monday and, unlike the Government, has drawn up a draft bill.

"We don't just have press conferences; we have something on green paper," said one Fianna Failer. The party has gone through all the hoops in drawing up its plans, which are to be debated in the Dail next week. At which time Fianna Fail will point out - gently, of course - that its legislation is ready to go while, if the Government now draws up its own, it will be well into next year.