Vol. 520 No. 4
26 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the latest position with regard to the Government plans for a national conference centre; the latest position regarding discussions with the EU Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15914/00]
As the Deputy is aware, the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999, included provision for 33 million ECU, £26 million, towards the construction of a conference centre in Dublin capable of handling up to 2,000 delegates.
A tender procedure, organised by Bord Fáilte, under the direction of the independent management board for product development, and conducted in accordance with EU Council Directive 93/37/EEC, was launched in September 1997 and culminated, in June 1998, in the selection of the proposal submitted by Spencer Dock International Convention Centre Limited, to go forward for grant-aid to develop the conference centre at a site in Dublin's docklands.
Following a submission by the Government, the EU Commission, in November 1998, gave its approval, in principle, for a grant of 33 million ECU to the project with drawdown subject to resolution of an outstanding procedural complaint and the compatibility of any preferential tax regimes for the project with State aids rules.
The Commission closed its file on the procedural complaint in April 1999.
Having received confirmation from the Commission on permissible time limits for the grant drawdown, contract documentation was agreed and signed by Bord Fáilte and the developer by end-December, 1999. The Department of Finance and the Commission are still in correspondence on the taxation issues and related matters. Meanwhile, planning permission issued by Dublin Corporation in August last year, is under appeal. An Bord Pleanála has concluded an oral hearing on the case and it expects to have a decision next month.
