I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 29, 63 and 250 together.
As indicated in reply to previous questions on this subject, the open tendering competition to develop a national conference centre on the basis of a European Regional Development Fund capital grant of 50 per cent terminated because none of the submissions presented to Bord Fáilte, and the independent management board established to deal with grant applications under the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99, were considered to be within the parameters set out in the project invitation document for the competition. Queries raised subsequently with my Department by promoters of consortia seeking clarification on the outcome of the competition have been addressed on this basis.
As a possible alternative strategy to secure an international conference centre for Dublin under the Operational Programme, the Royal Dublin Society has submitted a detailed proposal to develop and operate a national conference centre at their Ballsbridge site in Dublin on the basis of possible qualification for the higher rate of European Regional Development Fund grant reserved for public and similar bodies under EU rules. Bord Fáilte still awaits outline details of a proposal from the Carlton group for a joint venture with Dublin Corporation and Dublin City Business Association to assess its suitability for incorporation in this strategy.
