Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 5

Written Answers. - National Sports Stadium.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

62 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in regard to the National Sports Stadium; the extent to which agreement has been reached with the private sector in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22473/02]

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

72 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the proposals his Department has to offer land to private companies who have expressed interest in the development of a national stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22488/02]

Brendan Howlin

Question:

74 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on recent comments by financial and legal sources that final clearance to the private sector to build a national stadium will not be given until 2004; when he envisages the Government will be in a position to make a decision on the tendering process for the stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22477/02]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 72 and 74 together.

The Deputies will be aware that in September last the Government decided not to allocate Exchequer funding to provide a national stadium but decided instead to explore the potential to provide a national stadium with private sector involvement. Accordingly, an advertisement was placed in the national newspapers, some inter national journals and on the Government contracts website seeking expressions of interest. In response to this request for expressions of interest, 23 companies or consortia registered an interest and a variety of interesting proposals have been put forward. Evaluation of these expressions of interest is ongoing.

At this time, there is no agreement with any private sector parties regarding any aspect of the provision of a stadium. Any comments that clearance to build a national stadium will not be given until 2004 is merely speculation and is not based on any proposal made by me or decision by Government. As Deputies will appreciate, any formal tendering process for the national stadium project would have to be conducted in accordance with EU procurement law.