Eric J. Byrne
Question:81 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade when a final decision will be made on the location of the National Conference Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [578/94]
Written Answers. - National Conference Centre.
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:101 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the Government's policy in relation to the provision of a National Conference Centre in Dublin; if the RDS is the preferred site for such a centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [731/94]
Brendan McGahon
Question:102 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he has had meetings with South African businessmen representing casino operators and interests with a view to opening casinos in Ireland and investing £100 million. [440/94]
Ivor Callely
Question:347 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the progress that has been made with regard to the development of a National Conference Centre; the progress that has been made on the generation of funds to match the European Structural Funds available for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [909/94]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 101, 102 and 347 together.
A number of proposals to establish a National Conference Centre have been considered by a special Interdepartmental Committee. To date none of the proposals brought forward has demonstrated that the establishment of a major conference centre catering for 2,000 plus participants, is in itself a stand-alone viable economic proposition.
Whereas there is little doubt about the positive economic spin-off of such a development to the economy, the direct benefits to the individual developer may not be sufficient to encourage the development. In this context a number of private investors have expressed interest in the development of casinos as part of a wider development complex which would include, inter alia, a National Conference Centre, but this is an issue which raises wider considerations and has not yet been opened to formal consideration by any inter-Departmental group.
I have not had any meetings with South African businessmen representing casino operators.