John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 81 and 87 together.

On 22 March last, I informed the House that the national conference centre project team, headed by the Office of Public Works, was engaging in a process of consultation with the tenderers, intended, inter alia, to enable the OPW to provide clarification to the tenderers and, where appropriate, to take account of issues raised by them. This process is designed to ensure the quality and robustness of the tenders that will be submitted.

The consultation process with the tenderers has resulted in a number of changes to the tender documentation. In the light of those changes the national conference centre steering group, which is responsible for overseeing the procurement process, considered it appropriate and reasonable to allow the tenderers additional time to consider and, if necessary, amend their proposals. Accordingly, the deadline for the receipt of the tenders has been extended to 20 May next. As a result, the selection of a provisional preferred tenderer is scheduled for later in the summer, with the award of the contract, subject to Government approval, expected before the end of the year. When construction will begin and finish will be a matter for the successful tenderer.

As I have said in this House on many occasions, my 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 relating to the process are closely observed and that nothing is done that might jeopardise its successful conclusion.

See this speech in context