Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Transport if, in relation to the proposal by a company (details supplied) to make available to a company without going through a tendering process a site in order to facilitate the development of the national conference centre, he has received the further advice from the Attorney General referred to in his Dáil reply of 12 October 2005, and the reply which was given by him to the company's letter of 18 May 2005 requesting ministerial approval on this matter. [1794/06]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Transport the outcome of the request for ministerial approval in May 2005 by a company (details supplied) of the arrangement it had entered into with a company without going through the normal tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1793/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 142 together.

The advice referred to in the Dáil reply from the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources of 12 October 2005 was received from the Attorney General on 21 October 2005. In addition, further advice relevant to this matter was received from the Attorney General in January of this year.

Following approval by the Government, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy John O'Donoghue, announced on 16 November 2005 that Spencer Dock International Conference Centre Consortium was being invited to become the provisional preferred tenderer for the provision of a national conference centre in Dublin. This decision was taken by the National Conference Centre Steering Group following a detailed assessment and evaluation of tenders received, against award criteria set out in the invitation to negotiate document.

In relation to the company's letter of 18 May 2005 referred to by the Deputy, I am currently considering this matter in light of both the latest advice from the Attorney General of 6 January 2006 and the announcement by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.