Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the current position in regard to the replacement of an anchor tenant at the digital hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20031/05]

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the outcome to date of the competition he launched to establish a new research laboratory for the digital hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20036/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 205: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the outcome to date of the competition he launched to establish a new research laboratory for the digital hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20336/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 95 and 205 together.

The Higher Education Authority, on my behalf, recently launched a competitive tendering process for the establishment and management of a national digital media research and innovation centre, the National Digital Research Centre, or NDRC, to be located in the digital hub.

The centre will complement existing Government initiatives focused on digital media and technology enterprises and assist in the development and growth of the digital hub district. As well as having a clear educational research focus supported by a strong link with a third-level institution, this new centre will provide a focal point for the development of a wider research and innovation "ecosystem" relevant to and including the digital industry itself.

The centre will have a strong industry input and affinity, married with an imperative for commercialisation, with a particular focus on Irish-based industry. There will be an emphasis on interdisciplinary research and innovation and a focus on demonstrating solutions in an industry context.

The call for proposals will consist of a competitive two-phase structure, entailing a short-listing expressions of interest stage, followed by a comprehensive tendering process. A number of expressions of interest have now been received from higher education institutes, private sector entities and consortia. An independent panel will assess these on 21 June with a view to drawing up a short-list of candidates that will be asked to submit full tenders.

Digital media is at the cornerstone of the Government's information society agenda. The NDRC, together with existing activities and initiatives in the digital hub district, represents the type of value-added activity that I believe will contribute to Ireland's future at the forefront of the knowledge society.

Subject to a suitable candidate emerging from the competition, meeting the strict criteria set out above, it is proposed to establish the new centre towards the end of the year.