Written Answers. - National Conference Centre.
Ivor Callely
Question:
18
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Tourism and Trade
the number of years and the process to date in respect of the consideration to establish a national conference centre; his views on whether a timescale should be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2409/97]
John O'Donoghue
Question:
45
Mr. O'Donoghue
asked the
Minister for Tourism and Trade
the progress, if any, being made in relation to the provision of a conference centre for the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2539/97]
Ivor Callely
Question:
99
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Tourism and Trade
the number of Departmental committees which have given consideration to a national conference centre; their recommendations or views, if any, to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2675/97]
Ivor Callely
Question:
100
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Tourism and Trade
the identified suitable locations for a national conference centre; the proposals considered to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2676/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 45, 99 and 100 together.
I have, in response to previous questions on this subject, outlined the history and decision making process under the current operational programme for tourism in relation to this project and it may be useful in responding to the specific questions put down by Deputies to also bring the House up to date on the whole issue at this stage.
No departmental committee, as such, has given consideration to the issue of a national conference centre or made recommendations in this regard. The tourism potential of a national conference centre has long been recognised and the first Operational Programme for Tourism, 1989-1993, contained provision for such a development. A steering group of experts from the private and public sector operating under the aegis of the Central Review Committee of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, better known as the PESP, was established by the then Taoiseach to help finalise proposals. No progress was made, however, at that stage and the current Operational Programme fo Tourism 1994-1999, or Tourism OP as it is often referred to, makes provision for 50 per cent European Regional Development Fund support for a private sector proposal for a large dedicated conference centre capable of handling up to 2,000 delegates to be built in Dublin.
In September-October 1995, Bord Fáilte organised an open tendering competition seeking interested parties to submit proposals for grant assistance towards the development of such a centre and 13 consortia submitted full proposals. These were rigorously assessed by a Bord Fáilte led assessment team and considered by the independent product development management board set up under the operational programme to consider such projects. None of the applicants met the criteria which had been set and the tendering competition accordingly self-terminated. Following the failure of the competition to produce an acceptable private sector proposal, an alternative strategy was pursued whereby Bord Fáilte, under the aegis of the independent management board, examined an outline proposal from the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) which, as a voluntary body, is potentially eligible for consideration for a higher rate of capital assistance normally reserved, under the Tourism OP, for public and similar bodies.
The possibility of a second proposal, involving a public-private joint venture, was also explored during 1996 but I was informed by Bord Fáilte, who are responsible for assessing such proposals, that the promoters were not in a position to submit the necessary outline details within deadlines set to allow assessment of suitability for inclusion in the alternative strategy.
Upon completion of its examination of the RDS proposal, Bord Fáilte, on the recommendation of the management board, commissioned an independent cost/benefit analysis which is required under the Tourism OP in the case of all large projects. This was undertaken by an experienced UK consultancy firm who were selected by Bord Fáilte on the basis of a competitive tendering procedure.
The Government, having taken into account a number of factors including the recommendations of the management board and Bord Fáilte, and the results of the cost benefit analysis, agreed on 5 November to make a submission to the European Commission, recommending formal approval of the proposed development by the RDS. The Government is recommending approval of 75 per cent capital grant aid subject to the existing financial provision for such project in the current tourism OP. The proposal has now been submitted to the European Commission for its formal agreement, which is required under the operational programme for projects of this scale, and a formal response is now awaited.
A specific timescale for commencement or completion of the national conference centre project cannot be determined until the proposal has been formally approved by the European Commission, and matters such as planning permission are in place. There is, however, no reason to believe that the project cannot be completed and supported within the timeframe permissible under the operational programme.
