Vol. 518 No. 3
63 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the likely operational date of the national 50 metre swimming pool based in Limerick; if he will consider some level of support for the Dublin contender who was not successful for the national project and who is very advanced with its development of a 50 metre pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11450/00]
The Government, in line with the commitment given in the joint programme, An Action Plan for the Millennium, decided in November 1997, to initiate a tender procedure inviting proposals for the design, financing, construction and management of a national 50 metre swimming pool.
This tender procedure, which was conducted in accordance with EU Council Directive 93/37/EEC, concerning the co-ordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, culminated, in July last year, with the selection of a proposal submitted by the University of Limerick to develop a 50 metre swimming pool on their campus.
The University's proposal is based on receiving a capital grant of £5.95 million and an operational subsidy of £190,000 per annum for 20 years. The swimming pool will form part of the University's multi-purpose sports building project, which is currently under construction, and is located close to the national coaching and training centre. The university expect that the pool will be operational early in 2001.
As the award of the grant to develop the swimming pool was made following an open tender procedure, clearly it would be inappropriate for my Department to consider the offer of grant-aid to an unsuccessful tenderer.
