Trevor Sargent
Question:48 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will report on the progress in relation to building a 50 metre swimming pool. [25659/98]
Written Answers - Swimming Pool Projects.
Paul Bradford
Question:51 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the position in relation to the development of a 50 metre swimming pool. [25631/98]
Ivor Callely
Question:303 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the situation in relation to the development of a 50 meter international standard swimming pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25402/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 51 and 303 together.
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 proposals.
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.
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.
The deadline for submission of tenders from qualified candidates was last Friday, 27 November 1998 and three tender proposals were received on that date. These submissions will now undergo a detailed evaluation process and a decision is expected early in the new year.