Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the delivery of the Abbotstown sports campus; the situation in regard to the planning of phase one; when development work is expected to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21022/06]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the management of the National Aquatic Centre following the removal of Dublin Waterworld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21023/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 26 together.

Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited, the company charged with developing the Sports Campus project, has drawn up a detailed proposal for the development of the sports campus at Abbotstown in a series of phases. Planning work for Phase One of the Development Control Plan is already underway and will provide:

∙a National Field Sports training centre, catering for rugby, soccer, Gaelic games and hockey

∙a National Indoor Training Centre which will provide world class training facilities for over 30 Governing Bodies of Sport

∙accommodation for sports men and women; sports science and medical facilities

∙all-weather synthetic pitches for community use; and

∙renovation of existing buildings to cater for needs identified by sports bodies.

Funds for the delivery of the project have been provided in my Department's capital envelope for 2006-2010. The estimated cost of the project is €119m with a 4 to 5-year delivery schedule- 2006 to 2010. An amount of €9.5m has been provided in the Vote of my Department for work on the project during 2006. Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Ltd is now proceeding with the delivery of the Abbotstown Sports Campus. Also, as Deputies may be aware, an inter agency study which is chaired by the Office of Public Works, is underway following on from the commitment in the Fingal Development Plan to undertake a study of the feasible developments on the Abbotstown site. I look forward to receiving the outcome of this work in due course.

With regard to the National Aquatic Centre, the legal proceedings taken by CSID against Dublin Waterworld Ltd are still before the Courts and it would be inappropriate to comment on matters that are sub-judice. However, it is a matter of public record that the case again came before the Supreme Court on 12 May. The Supreme Court granted a stay of execution on the judgement and order of Mr. Justice Gilligan made on the 21 and 29 March 2006 in the High Court pending the hearing of an appeal.

The terms upon which a stay has been granted are as follows:

∙The defendant to provide security for costs;

∙The defendant undertakes to keep National Aquatic Centre open and operational;

∙To continue to pay suppliers and staff;

∙To operate the 1300 hours agreement as currently operated;

∙To provide monthly management accounts within 14 days of month end;

∙To comply with all obligations under the lease subject to matters in contention in the appeal;

∙To take reasonable steps to prosecute the appeal;

∙To not remove plant and/or equipment or records and to return any records removed;

∙To allow reasonable access for snagging to continue.

The Supreme Court gave liberty to apply to it in relation to a serious breach of these terms on two working days' notice. The Supreme Court also entered the case on a list to be heard by the Chief Justice on 18 May in relation to granting an early hearing to the appeal.

CSID duly made an application for an early hearing of the appeal. On the 18 May, the Chief Justice ordered that the Books of Appeal be lodged within a week and that submissions be lodged within 10 days. He listed the case for mention on 16 June at which stage he will be seeking a date for the hearing. The availability of dates in the legal calendar will determine whether an early hearing can be secured.

CSID has prepared contingency plans for the operation of the National Aquatic Centre in the event of it regaining possession.