Thomas P. Broughan
Question:81 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the latest position regarding the development of a national conference centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2392/01]
Written Answers. - National Conference Centre.
As Deputies are aware, the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999 included a provision towards the construction of a conference centre in Dublin capable of handling up to 2,000 delegates. An open tender competition was launched by Bord Fáilte in September 1997 and the successful tender was from Spencer Dock Consortium Limited for its proposed conference centre at Spencer Dock in Dublin's Docklands. In November 1998 the European Commission gave its approval, in principle, for the offer of a grant of 33 million ECU, £26 million, to the successful tenderer subject to a number of conditions, including the compatibility of any preferential tax regimes for the project with State Aids rules.
Subsequently, having secured EU Commission confirmation on permissible time limits for the grant drawdown, contract documentation was agreed and signed by Bord Fáilte and the developer, Spencer Dock Consortium Limited, by end December 1999. The deadline set for drawdown of the grant was 31 December 2002 with major construction work to be under way by January 2001.
Planning permission for the development, issued by Dublin Corporation in August 1999, was appealed to An Bord Pleanála. Last July, An Bord Pleanála issued its decision, granting planning permission for the national conference centre element of the overall development but not for the bulk of the surrounding development.
Since then, the developers have been considering their options in light of this planning decision. Options, of which I have been made aware, would require the provision of substantial additional public funding over and above the terms of the original grant offer from Bord Fáilte.
Following consultations with Bord Fáilte and advice from the Attorney General, I consider that I am precluded from introducing any amendments to the public procurement process through which the Spencer Dock proposal emerged and the grant offer of £26 million was made. I have informed the developers accordingly and asked them to continue to consider with Bord Fáilte how to proceed within the context of the terms and conditions of the existing grant offer.
As we are now at the end of January 2001 I expect Bord Fáilte to be in contact with the developers to confirm their position.