Bernard Allen
Question:56 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when a decision will be made on the location for the 50 metre swimming pool. [3582/99]
Vol. 500 No. 1
56 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when a decision will be made on the location for the 50 metre swimming pool. [3582/99]
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 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. A project team was established by the Department to assist with the preparation of invitation to tender documentation and to oversee the tendering process. This team comprises representatives of a number of Government Departments and other organisations.
The tender procedure notice for the project was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities in January 1998, and in the Irish media on the following day. The invitation was open to both the public and private sectors.
The Department requested developers to come forward with proposals for the design, construction, financing and management of a 50 metre swimming pool, capable of meeting the training requirements of Ireland's high-performance swimmers for international competition. Such developers were required to demonstrate that they had the necessary financial status, technical knowledge and experience to undertake the development.
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 full tenders from qualified candidates was 27 November 1998, and three tender proposals were received on that date. Two tender proposals were deemed to have met the qualification criteria by the project team, which is overseeing the tender process with the assistance of independent professional consultants, and these proposals have proceeded to the evaluation and assessment phase of the project.