Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
25. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his officials have been lobbied or received a representation from the Chinese Embassy in relation to the use of the Convention Centre in Dublin by a group (details supplied); and the reason for the refusal of the centre to host the show. [4161/20]
View answerMy Department has not been lobbied or received any representation from the Chinese Embassy in relation to the use of the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) for the performance of the group you have mentioned.
Officials in my Department have been contacted by the group involved regarding their concerns over the refusal of the CCD to host their show, and have met with these individuals to discuss their concerns.
Officials from my Department liaised with relevant authorities, including the Office of Public Works, to look into this matter. With regard to the CCD, while the building itself is owned by the State, the Convention Centre operators are contracted under licence to commercially operate the business until 2035. The Government does not have a role in the commercial decisions made by the Convention Centre.
