Government departments must ensure that State agencies and semi-states comply with terms of the Prompt Payment of Account Act, which comes into effect in the new year, according to ISME. The Act requires purchasing departments in the State sector to pay suppliers within 45 days. "The legislation identifies and names over 230 bodies that come within its remit, but many of these bodies remain uninformed as to the restrictions the legislation imposes," said Mr Don Curry, ISME's chairman.