Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in regard to the development of the National Conference Centre including the timetable for its construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11741/07]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the contract for the National Conference Centre at Spencer Dock will be awarded; the expected timescale for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11746/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 85 together.

As I have informed the House, most recently on 15 February, 2007, Spencer Dock International Conference Centre Consortium has been appointed Preferred Tenderer for the provision of a National Conference Centre in Dublin.

The Centre is being procured under a Public Private Partnership process under the auspices of the Office of Public Works — the Contracting Authority. During the Preferred Tenderer phase the Consortium is required to develop and provide the full range of project documents for review and approval by the Contracting Authority. The current expectation is that the contract will be awarded within the coming weeks. It is envisaged that site enabling and related works in preparation for construction would commence shortly thereafter and that the Centre would be operational some 40 months later.

I am delighted that delivery of another major commitment in the Programme for Government may now be about to become a reality.