Vol. 497 No. 5
317 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the discussions, if any, he has had with the developers or the Dublin Docklands Authority regarding the national convention centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25702/98]
Following Government agreement to the product management board's recommendation in favour of the Spencer Dock proposal, and submission, with an independent cost benefit analysis, to the European Commission, the promoters have been in contact with me as to progress and I have kept them informed of developments.
I have had no discussions or contact with the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, other than by way of briefing on the authority's role, provided by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government.
The fundamental message which I have communicated, at every opportunity, is that the Government is fully committed to helping to secure EU grant approval for the project in order to enable the developers to deliver an international conference centre of which we can all be proud, within the framework of the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-99.
