More than 100 expressions of interest are believed to have been submitted to advisers selling the Great Southern Hotel Group.

Yesterday was scheduled to be the closing date for submissions for the nine properties, but this has been extended by a fortnight. BDO Simpon Xavier, the accountancy practice and business consultancy and CB Richard Ellis, estate agents, are handling the sale.

Overseas property groups are among those who have expressed an interest.

The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), which ultimately owns the properties, is hoping to get about €170 million for the properties. Several prominent builders and property developers are believed to have submitted expressions of interest so far, including Bernard McNamara and Paddy Kelly.

Site visits to some of the nine hotels start next week.

Most of the submissions are believed to involve consortiums, rather than individuals. The advisers are now expected to sift out the less serious and frivolous submissions.

The hotels are being sold as a "going concern", but the DAA is open to selling the hotels in different lots.

Demand for the Dublin Airport hotel is expected to be intense, with considerable interest also in the Galway Eyre Square property, including from CIÉ. However, the loss-making properties like Rosslare may find it difficult to attract a buyer.

The DAA said last week that no decision had been made on the disposal of up to 54 valuable works of art, which have been removed from the walls of the hotels.

Following concerns raised by the Labour party about the future of the paintings, the DAA said that any decision on the sale or transfer of the paintings would need the approval of the Government and would be carried out in full consultation with the Arts Council.

Last Saturday, the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism wrote to the DAA advising it that the State must be given first option on purchasing valuable works of art.