Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Transport the draft heads of terms submitted for ministerial approval on 18 May 2005, in relation to the arrangement entered into without public or tendering process by the Dublin Port Company and a private group (details supplied) relating to over 30 acres of Dublin Port Company park; the view of the Attorney General on such an arrangement; and the response given to Dublin Port Company referred to as being considered in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 16 February 2006. [32414/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As outlined in the Minister's reply of 16 February 2006, Dublin Port Company wrote to me as Marine Minister on 18 May 2005 seeking ministerial approval for the company to enter into an arrangement with the Anna Livia consortium, as detailed in draft heads of terms enclosed with the letter.

The proposed arrangement was in essence that in the event that the consortium was successful in the National Conference Centre competition, and subject to the Minister's consent, Dublin Port Company would make a site available to facilitate the consortium's proposal for a National Conference Centre. Following approval by the Government, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue, TD, announced in 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.

As the Deputy may be aware, on 31 August 2006, that Minister further announced that this consortium was being invited to become the Preferred Tenderer in this regard. Since the consortium with which Dublin Port Company signed the heads of terms was not successful in the competition, the Ministerial approval requested by Dublin Port Company on 18 May 2005 is no longer required. Regarding the advice received on the matter from the Attorney General, I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that such advice is subject to legal professional privilege.