Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if research has been carried out by his Department or Fáilte Ireland into the feasibility of providing a conference centre in the Shannon area on a public private partnership basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11751/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, my immediate priority is the provision of a National Conference Centre in Dublin, in line with the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government. Following a protracted public private partnership process, I am hopeful that contractual arrangements with the preferred tenderer will be completed over the coming weeks, leading to the delivery of the conference centre some 40 months later. The Product Development and Infrastructure sub-programme of the National Development Plan 2007 –13, includes provision for the PPP funded capital cost of this project which, when fully operational, is expected to generate additional foreign revenue earnings of between €25m and €50m per year.

Neither my Department, nor I understand Failte Ireland, has undertaken any specific research into the feasibility of providing a conference centre in the Shannon area on a public private partnership basis. I am, however, aware of a proposal by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation for the development of a major Regional Conference Centre at Shannon/ Limerick, which was included in their submission to the Department of Finance on the National Development Plan.

Given the current priority to ensure the successful delivery of the National Conference Centre, it may be premature at this time to embark on a publicly-funded feasibility study for additional major conference facilities, although the issue will remain under review in the light of emerging demand for conference-related tourism business.