Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:65 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will outline the up to date position regarding the provision of a 50 metre swimming pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3422/99]
Written Answers - Swimming Pool Projects.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:73 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will give a progress report on the development of a 50 metre swimming pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3451/99]
Ivor Callely
Ceist:385 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the progress of the independent consultations on the proposals for a national 50 metre swimming pool; the likely time schedule for all associated decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3508/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 73 and 385 together.
The Government, in line with the commitment given in the joint programme, An Action Plan for the Millennium, to invite proposals for a national 50 metre swimming pool, decided last year to initiate a tender procedure to invite such proposals.
The tender procedure is being conducted in accordance with EU Council Directive 93/37/EEC, concerning the co-ordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts. A project team was established by the Department to assist with the preparation of invitation to tender documentation and to oversee the tendering process. This team comprises representatives of a number of Government Departments and other organisations.
The tender procedure notice for the project was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities in January 1998, and in the Irish media on the following day. The invitation was open to both the public and private sectors. The Department requested developers to come forward with proposals for the design, construction, financing and management of a 50 metre swimming pool, capable of meeting the training requirements of Ireland's high-performance swimmers for international competition. Such developers were required to demonstrate that they had the necessary financial status, technical knowledge and experience to undertake the development.
The Government has agreed to provide capital assistance, up to a maximum of £6 million, and annual operational assistance, up to a maximum of £250,000, towards the cost of implementation of the successful tender.
The deadline for submission of full tenders from qualified candidates was 27 November 1998, and three tender proposals were received on that date. Two tender proposals were deemed to have met the qualification criteria by the project team, which is overseeing the tender process with the assistance of independent professional consultants, and these proposals have proceeded to the evaluation and assessment phase of the project.
However, on 18 January 1999 the other tenderer applied for and was given leave by the High Court seeking to have their disqualification set aside, and their tender considered. These proceedings are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, the detailed evaluation of the two remaining tenders is continuing, and interviews with the tenderers were held on Thursday, 21 January. The evaluation is being undertaken by an independent multi-disciplinary consultancy team who will produce a full technical assessment and evaluation report for the project team which is overseeing the project. The team will then report its findings and recommendations, following which I will present a Memorandum to the Government on the matter. A final decision and public announcement on the outcome are anticipated in February-March. Such a timetable is conditional, however, on the outcome of the High Court case.