Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2004
61 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if invitations to tender have been issued to the three pre-qualified candidates for the national conference centre; when it is expected that an announcement will be made on the successful bidder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31451/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra90 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism whether administrative practices within his Department are impacting on the development of a national conference centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29977/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra99 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he would provide an update on the provision of a new national conference centre; the number of interested parties at this stage; the likely timescale for the project at this stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31434/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 90 and 99 together.
On 7 July last, I announced that three of the four candidates who had submitted expressions of interest in the provision of a national conference centre in the Dublin area had been short-listed to proceed to the next stage of the competition. As required, each short-listed consortium proposed an acceptable site in the Dublin area.
As I have explained to the House in response to similar questions, most recently on 20 October last, the Government decided that procurement of the national conference centre should be in the form of a public private partnership. The procedures involved are complex and are set out in the Department of Finance's interim guidelines for the provision of infrastructure and capital investments through public private partnerships but are designed to ensure a transparent process. The key elements, such as the determination of public sector benchmark, an affordability cap and an economic evaluation of the project, are largely in place. The preparation of detailed project contract documentation has been very demanding and time-consuming but this is also close to completion.
Subject to final consideration of these matters by the NCC steering group next week, the Office of Public Works, which is managing the procurement process, expects to be in a position to issue invitations to tender to the three pre-qualified candidates on 10 December next. Assuming this is the case and allowing several months for engagement with the selected tenders, it is to be hoped that a preferred bidder could be selected by mid-2005.
As I have said before, my personal priority and that of the Government is to have this project brought to a conclusion at the earliest possible date while ensuring that the relevant procedures and guidelines pertaining to the process are closely observed and that nothing is done that might jeopardise its successful conclusion.
I call Deputy Deenihan.
On a point of order, the question was from a member of the Technical Group, therefore, a member of that group should have priority.
The first question here is Question No. 61, which is in the name of Deputy Deenihan.
Given that international business tourism is worth approximately €40 billion and that every city in Europe now has a dedicated conference centre and Barcelona, for example, has four, will the Minister ensure there are no further delays in processing the contract documents and moving this project to tender?
I also understand that Fáilte Ireland has established a business unit to attract business tourism into Ireland and is therefore ready at this stage. I welcome the progress which has been made but it is important that further progress is made as soon as possible following the receipt of the contract documents when they are returned. It may not be the responsibility of the Minister, but I ask him to make representations to the Minister for Finance to allow the VAT paid on business tourism to be refunded. It is a major issue which was raised by the Irish Hotels Federation before this budget. If the Minister for Finance will not deliver in this budget, I would appreciate it if the Minister made strong representations to him to consider it in the Finance Bill or the next budget.
It is my intention to try to ensure that the saga of the national conference centre is brought to a close. There have been many unsuccessful efforts over 20 years to deliver a national conference centre in Ireland and, on this occasion, I am determined that we will be successful. As Deputy Deenihan stated, it is of considerable importance that we succeed. There is no doubt that conference business would increase substantially and some estimates put the gain to the economy, in particular in the Dublin area, at between €30 million and €50 million. This is the estimated yield from a conference centre with a capacity of 2,000 people.
I have written to the Minister for Finance, outlining my views on the IHF's recommendations in its budget submission, including its views on business tourism. I welcome the establishment of the business tourism group as it can only be beneficial. I greatly look forward to the next stage of improving business tourism in Dublin.
Given the strategic importance of establishing this long-awaited national conference centre, has the Cabinet discussed any measures in regard to public transport as part of the tendering process? If the public private partnership route is being followed, the Minister will acknowledge that promises of a Luas in five years' time are insufficient and that if one wants a national conference which will allow overseas business visitors to access it easily without being clogged up in the M50 ring road, it is important to ensure that the location of such a conference centre is close to all forms of public transport, whether they are bus and taxi lanes or a rail link of some description. Will this issue form part of the questions which will be asked of those companies? We know about the EU aspects of the tendering process, but will any questions be asked about whether the concerns involved will be able to guarantee that incoming business people will be able to get from A to B? The N7 is in total gridlock. We do not want business people to get a bad impression of Ireland because a conference centre is built in the suburbs where there is no transport access.
I feel sure that the assessment panel will take all relevant factors into account, including the question of its strategic location of the site. However, Deputy Gogarty will appreciate that it is of immense importance that the Government maintains an arm's length principle in terms of the selection process. Therefore, I will leave it to the good sense of those involved to ensure that the site which is chosen is suitable in as many respects as possible.
