Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

Any delay in the provision of a national conference centre is disappointing. When will a decision be made given that the deadline for the receipt of the tenders has been extended? Will a decision be made this summer? It is clear from the media that tourism interests and hotels are concerned at the lack of this facility. Will the contract be awarded this summer with a view to the commencement of the construction of a national conference centre? In recent years we have been deprived of large conferences and a major injection of funds due the lack of such a facility while other countries have built a base to attract conferences. Given that we will build on a greenfield site, we are far behind in comparison with the facilities available in other countries. How can we overcome those problems?

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