Written Answers. - National Conference Centre.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:
67
Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
the discussions, if any, he has with EU officials regarding funding for the proposed national conference centre; if he has satisfied himself that the £26 million allocated in EU funding is still available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19904/99]
The Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-99, includes provision for 33 million ECU (approximately £26 million) in European Regional Development Fund grant aid for the construction of a conference centre in Dublin capable of handling up to 2,000 delegates.
Following the failure of processes in 1995 and 1996 to secure an appropriate proposal, a new tender procedure, organised by Bord Fáilte, under the direction of the independent management board for product development, and conducted in accordance with EU Council Directive 93/37/EEC, was launched in September 1997. This process culminated in June 1998 in the selection of the proposal submitted by Spencer Dock International Convention Centre Limited, to go forward for European Regional Development Fund grant-aid to develop the conference centre at a site in Dublin's docklands.
In September 1998, the Government agreed to the making of a submission to the European Commission recommending formal approval for a 33 million ECU European Regional Development Fund grant towards the cost of developing the project. The Commission's approval, in principle, for the grant was received in April 1999.
Since then, and following consultations between the developer and Bord Fáilte, I have been in correspondence with the Commission about how the construction schedule for the project can be accommodated within the various operational programme and CSF deadlines. Final contractual details are now urgently awaited by the Commission, from the developers, so that they can finalise their consideration of the case for extension of permissible time limits for grant drawdown.
Bord Fáilte are continuing negotiations with the developers with a view to finalising agreement on the necessary contracts by October 15. With only a couple of months left to the end of the current CSF, including deadlines for commitments under the Operational Programme for Tourism, every effort is being made to have the required contractual details with the Commission for their consideration as soon as possible.
