Brian Lenihan
Question:145 Mr. Lenihan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the stage of the proposals for a National Conference Centre in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5499/97]
Written Answers. - National Conference Centre.
The present position in relation to proposals to develop a national conference centre in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, is that following the failure of the open tendering competition to produce an acceptable private sector proposal, an alternative strategy was pursued whereby Bord Fáilte, under the aegis of the independent Management Board for Product Development, examined an outline proposal from the Royal Dublin Society which, as a voluntary body, is potentially eligible for consideration for a higher rate of capital assistance normally reserved, under the Operational Programme for Tourism (OP) for public and similar bodies.
Upon completion of their 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 results were favourable to the RDS proposal. 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 a project in the current Tourism OP. The proposal has been submitted to the European Commission for approval, as required under the OP for projects of this scale, and the Commission's response is now awaited.