John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

I wish to express my satisfaction that the National Aquatic Centre will be restored to Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited, CSID, following an order by consent made by the Supreme Court on 14 November. Following the persistent failure of Dublin Waterworld Limited to comply with obligations under its lease, I directed CSID to seek forfeiture of the lease in the High Court. The High Court found there had been "wilful breaches" of the lease by Dublin Waterworld Limited. A judgment in favour of CSID, delivered by the High Court earlier this year, was appealed by Dublin Waterworld Limited to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ordered that possession be handed over on 30 November, that pending such hand-over the defendant will abide by the terms of the undertaking to the Supreme Court dated 12 May — these were the terms of the stay on the order for possession, that the sum on joint deposit as security for costs in this case is released with interest immediately to McCann FitzGerald, and that the High Court order as to costs be vacated and there be no further order as to costs in the Supreme Court.

This means that CSID regains possession of the centre from midnight tonight. The immediate handover of the National Aquatic Centre is a significantly more advantageous position than would have been the case had the appeal proceeded.

Following the initiation of the High Court proceedings, CSID put in place a contingency plan to take over the operation of the National Aquatic Centre in anticipation of regaining possession. The facility will now be managed by CSID (Operations) Limited, a subsidiary of CSID. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the role of the staff at the centre. They have been through a difficult and uncertain time and I assure them that CSID will fully comply with any and all legal obligations towards the staff. I understand that CSID met with the staff on Tuesday last and briefed them on the plans for the future. It is the intention that there should be a seamless transition to the new operating company and that the business of the centre continue.

I wish to address the Deputy's concerns regarding the condition of the building. CSID is confident the facility is in good condition, but it will carry out a full health check on the total facility, starting tomorrow, with a view to dispelling any concerns once and for all.

The facilities at the centre will be maintained and managed to the highest quality so the residents of Blanchardstown and the wider community can enjoy one of our flagship facilities.

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