Vol. 559 No. 5
259 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding his discussions with private sector investors who have put forward proposals to develop a national stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26473/02]
260 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if negotiations with private sector investors have not been successful in attracting a developer for the provision of a national stadium at Abbotstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26474/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together.
Some 23 companies or consortia responded to my Department's request for expressions of interest in the provision of a national stadium on the site at Abbotstown. An evaluation of the expressions of interest by an inter-agency assessment panel in order to evaluate the potential to proceed with a viable public private venture to procure a national stadium is nearing completion. This evaluation will assist in bringing the matter to the Government for a decision on the project.
I attach a great deal of importance to ensuring that this process is managed in an open and transparent manner. Accordingly, there have been no contacts or discussions between either myself or my officials, on the one hand, and parties interested in providing the stadium on the other, other than to seek clarification on points of detail in some of the expressions of interest received.
