Róisín Shortall
Question:13 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress being made in the construction of a national conference centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31560/03]
Written Answers. - National Conference Centre.
Brendan Howlin
Question:31 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to proposals by a private firm (details supplied) to construct a national conference centre; his views on the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31561/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 31 together.
As I informed the House on 18 November last, the Government, in June last, agreed in principle to the provision of a national conference centre through an open competitive procurement process. A high level steering group was set up to review the specification, including operational requirements, for a national conference centre, and to agree the parameters of a procurement process.
Last month, a notice inviting expressions of interest in the provision of a national conference centre in the Dublin area, with an expected minimum delegate capacity of the order of 2000, was issued by the Office of Public Works and published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The competition was also advertised in the national press and full details are available from www.etenders.gov.ie. The time limit set for the receipt of requests to participate is 21 January 2004.
I am aware of reports about the proposals referred to by Deputy Howlin and as I informed the House on 16 April, had a brief meeting with the owner of the enterprise in question last year during which he outlined his plans for the further development of his existing facilities including the provision of general conference facilities. In the light of the current competition, I do not propose to comment further.