Vol. 440 No. 7
79 Ms McManus asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the growing concern at the delays in the provision of a national conference centre in Dublin; the time-frame for the construction of this centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
80 Mr. Callely asked the Taoiseach his views on the benefits that a national conference centre may give to Dublin if located in the Dublin area; if he will support such a development; the proposals, if any, he has for such a national conference centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.
The position is that following on two separate studies, one of the benefits to the country of a national conference centre and the second of the most desirable location for such a centre, the site at the Royal Dublin Society was chosen for the proposed development of the centre.
The gross economic benefits — discounted to take account of opportunity cost of capital — to the country of a national conference centre were estimated to be of the order of £60-£70 million over a ten year period.
The position on the proposed development at the RDS is that the society has not been able to generate the funds necessary to match the European Structural Funds that are available for a national conference centre.
The RDS proposal is one of a number of proposals that has been received for a national conference centre. The essential difficulty of matching funding has arisen in every proposal. The reason for this is that the conference centre is not commercial in itself but there are significant benefits for hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related facilities from the spending of those who come to the centre.
In the circumstances the issues which could provide justification for matching funds are currently being examined. The Government will then consider the various arguments arising and come to a decision on the matter. The Government remain committed to having a National Conference Centre.
