Vol. 448 No. 3
165 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the number of proposals which have been brought to the attention of his Department for the provision of a national convention centre, with or without associated casino or gambling facilities; the names of the companies involved; if his Department will be making a decision on this issue in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1937/95]
A number of proposals to establish a national conference centre have been considered by a special interdepartmental committee under the auspices of the Department of the Taoiseach. None of the proposals brought forward 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 effects of such a development for 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. A number of prospective investors have been met by way of a listening exercise but no commitments have been made either in connection with funds or location. I have received no formal proposals.
