Bernard Allen
Question:27 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the current situation regarding the development of a national conference centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7390/98]
Priority Questions. - National Conference Centre.
Ivor Callely
Question:383 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the position regarding the applicants who submitted their tenders for a national conference centre; the locations and the name of the applicants involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7359/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 383 together.
As the Deputy is probably aware, the tender procedure for a national conference centre is being organised by Bord Fáilte under the aegis of the independent management board for product development and is being conducted in full compliance with EU Council Directive 93/37/EEC concerning the co-ordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts.
The full tender procedure notice was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 13 September 1997 and in the Irish media on 16 September. It invited applicants to submit requests to participate in the tender procedure by Monday, 20 October. Bord Fáilte received 12 responses within this deadline set for receipt of applications to tender. On 31 October 1997, invitation to tender documentation was dispatched by Bord Fáilte to seven qualified applicants, six of whom confirmed their intention to submit full tenders before the deadline for so doing, 14 November. The closing deadline for receipt of tenders was 5 p.m. on Monday, 2 February. Bord Fáilte received full tender submissions from five consortia and immediately commenced its assessment of the submissions. The deliberations of Bord Fáilte and the management board are continuing but they are expected to be finalised in the near future.
Under the terms of the tourism operational programme, the agreement of the Government and the EU Commission on foot of a cost benefit analysis conducted in accordance with Community law will then be required in respect of any final selection made. It is hoped the grant offer can be made to the successful candidate by mid-July who will then be able to proceed with construction plans.
A specific timetable for commencement or completion of the national conference centre project cannot be determined until the proposal has been formally approved by the Government and the European Commission and matters such as planning permission are in place. The tender procedure is being organised by Bord Fáilte and the independent management board. The board has not released details of the names of tenderers or the locations of the proposed projects.
Will the Minister assure the House that he or any other member of the Government has not held separate discussions with any of the tendering parties?
I assure the Deputy that neither I nor my Department have had any discussions with any of the parties.
Have any of the Minister's colleagues had discussions?
Neither I nor any of my colleagues have had any discussions with anybody involved in the process.