Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 May 2006
43 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the timescale for the provision of the proposed National Conference Centre in Spencer Dock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21067/06]
Amharc ar fhreagra46 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in regard to the development of the National Conference Centre; when he expects to be able to bring the matter to Government; if he still expects construction of the new centre to commence in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21019/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 46 together.
The House will be aware that in November last, Spencer Dock International Conference Centre Consortium was, with the approval of the Government, designated as the Provisional Preferred Tenderer for the provision of a National Conference Centre in Dublin. In accordance with the competition process, the Contracting Authority, the Office of Public Works, proceeded to engage with the Provisional Preferred Tenderer to negotiate, settle and agree any required amendments to the project agreement. These detailed and complex negotiations are, by their nature, time consuming but, as I informed the House on 25th April last, I understand that the Contracting Authority is pressing to have them concluded as soon as possible.
Assuming that these negotiations prove successful, the next step will be the appointment of the Provisional Preferred Tenderer as Preferred Tenderer. During the Preferred Tenderer phase, the Preferred Tenderer will develop and provide the full range of project documents, which will require review and approval by the Contracting Authority. I look forward to the timely completion of the next stages and hope to be in a position to bring the matter to Government for final decision in the coming months.
Subject to the successful completion of the remaining stages of the procurement process and assuming no unexpected developments, I would hope that construction of the National Conference Centre would begin next year and that the Centre would be operational during 2009.
