Vol. 496 No. 6
397 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if Waterford is being considered as one of the locations for the proposed new 50 metre swimming pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23743/98]
The Government, in line with the commitment given in the joint programme, An Action Plan for the Millennium, to invite proposals for a national 50 metre swimming pool, decided in November last year to initiate a tender procedure to invite such proposlas.
The tender procedure is being conducted in accordance with EU Council Directive 93/37/EEC, concerning the co-ordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts. Under Article 22 of the Directive, candidates are selected for invitation to tender from among those qualified in accordance with Articles 24 to 29 thereof. These requirements were outlined in the tender procedure notice for the project which was published in the official journal of the European communities on Wednesday 21 January 1998, and in the Irish media on the following day. The invitation was open to both the public and private sectors. No location was specified and this is a matter for individual developers.
The Government has agreed to provide capital assistance, up to a maximum of £6 million, and annual operational assistance, up to a maximum of £250,000 towards the cost of implementation of the successful tender.
