Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 3

Written Answers. - Swimming Pool Projects.

Ivor Callely

Question:

27 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the progress on the international 50 metre swimming pool; the time schedule for conclusion of current difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15004/99]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

42 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the centres, if any, under consideration for the 50 metre swimming pool; when a final decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15472/99]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 42 together.

The Government, in line with the commitment given in the joint programme, An Action Programme for the Millennium, decided in November 1997 to initiate a tender procedure to invite proposals for a national 50 metre swimming pool. 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 my 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 Departments and other organisations.

The tender procedure notice for the project was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities and in the Irish media in January 1998, and was open to both the public and private sectors. Developers were requested 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, for a maximum period of 20 years, 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, one with a location in Dublin and the other in Limerick, were deemed by the project team, on the advice of independent professional consultants, to have met the qualification criteria and these proposals have proceeded to the evaluation and assessment phase of the project. The third tender was disqualified on the basis of its ineligibility in terms of its compatibility with a fundamental element of the tender framework: the capital grant limits.

However, on 18 January 1999 the third tenderer applied for and was given leave by the High Court to seek to have their disqualification set aside and their tender considered. This case was heard in the High Court between 12 and 14 of May last, with judgment being reserved.

Meanwhile, the detailed evaluation of the two remaining tenders, which is being undertaken by an independent multi-disciplinary consultancy team, is well advanced but effectively stalled pending the outcome of the High Court proceedings. The High Court gave its ruling this morning that there was no grounds for a judicial review of the disqualification.