Eoin Ryan
Ceist:24 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the progress, if any, that has been made by the RDS in relation to the proposed national conference centre during the past month. [4312/96]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - National Conference Centre.
Peadar Clohessy
Ceist:30 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he has received reports from Bord Fáilte regarding its discussion with the Royal Dublin Society on the development of a proposed national conference centre at the Ballsbridge site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4350/96]
Seán Power
Ceist:32 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the bookings, if any, that have been taken for the national conference centre; and the way in which these bookings will be honoured. [4319/96]
Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:41 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the stage reached by Bord Fáilte in pursuing the proposal from the RDS to develop a national conference centre at its Ballsbridge site; whether work on the site is expected to commence in December 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4360/96]
David Andrews
Ceist:225 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade whether the Royal Dublin Society has presented proposals for the development of a national conference centre; whether the RDS will be paid for the development of the proposals and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4325/96]
David Andrews
Ceist:226 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the bookings that have been taken for the national conference centre following his visits to tourism fairs, including the Chicago Incentive Travel and Marketing Executives Show; and if he has satisfied himself that the bookings can be honoured in view of the fact that the centre, which remains at a very preliminary stage, has to be completed by 1999. [4326/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 30, 32, 41, 225 and 226 together. When I last spoke in the House on this subject on 24 January, I indicated that I had asked Bord Fáilte to pursue further a proposal from the Royal Dublin Society to develop a national conference centre at its Ballsbridge site.
Bord Fáilte has now received an initial submission from the RDS outlining in broad terms its plans to develop a conference centre on the basis of EU grant assistance at a rate of 75 per cent. This submission is currently being examined by a Bord Fáilte assessment team with a view to presenting its report to the product development management board within the next month or so.
All submissions prepared by the RDS to date in connection with the development of the conference centre have been at its own expense. My objective remains that work on site will commence by December 1996.
At this stage no bookings have been taken for the national conference centre. However, myself, Bord Fáilte and the industry will continue to actively market and promote the extensive range of smaller conference facilities which have been put in place in recent years.
When will a final decision be made? There is a severe traffic problem in the area. Has the RDS addressed that particularly in view of what happened in Ballsbridge when the embassy was opened some time ago?
I am awaiting receipt of the proposal from the RDS. These issues will be considered if and when the matter proceeds further. The RDS caters for large crowds. Many of those who attend international conferences travel by coach but serious consideration will be given to traffic management.
How many people is it intended to accommodate? I am delighted to hear the Minister talk about traffic management as he did not see the need for it in other areas where mass tourism is having an effect.
That is not true. I take traffic management into consideration.
I am not convinced by anything the Minister said.
The Deputy is very good at distorting my words. The conference centre will cater for an attendance of 2,000 to 2,500 people.
As no other applicants were able to put forward an acceptable plan under the terms laid down by the Government, is there a commitment to give ongoing resources to the RDS to meet the running costs of the conference centre?
When this was advertised for the private sector it was made clear that there would not be an ongoing Government subsidy nor would it be acceptable to use moneys from a casino to run and maintain the centre. The RDS is eligible to be considered for 75 per cent grant assistance.
Why must the conference centre be located in Dublin? There are international airports in Cork, Shannon and Knock. The airport in Kerry is capable of taking large jets. Regrettably, the Galway airport is not yet capable of taking such traffic.
Overruled, Deputy.
Acting Chairman
That is a separate question.
The Government made a decision on 26 July last year.
The plan is to centralise, not decentralise.