Sir, While discussion about the location of the National Conference Centre (NCC) is doubtless worthwhile, it distracts from the question of whether one is necessary at all.
Numerous large hotels and universities organise conferences and exhibitions already. Isn't an NCC going to have to take their trade? It seems unlikely that there are regular 2,000 person conference events just longing to linger in Dublin, but for the lack of a proper grown up centre. Rather more likely is a whole bunch of smaller events (already catered for) being lured to the subsidised white elephant planned. Once it's built, it has to be filled with the embossed PVC briefcase brigade for whom it was intended.
Bord Failte doesn't want to subsidise the conference centre annually, and the RDS can provide such financial support. But what about that £23 million of EU money? The fact that you have to subsidise a commercial venture means it isn't necessary. And this isn't some worthwhile cultural entity such as a national museum or library it's a big load of empty rooms, with uncomfortable seats and a car park.
The whole notion is accepted presumably because we must have as many "national" things as possible, as if there's a set of them to cut out and collect. A "national" conference centre is supposedly exactly the kind of prestigious toy any country needs for its self respect. And that's as much justification as I can see. How about some other "national" necessities such as the national car ark to attract car drivers from all over Europe where parking is at a premium. Or a national hotel with vast 30 person beds for those larger tour groups?
Perhaps the first conference for the NCC might be how Dublin's planning system is a sorry, purposeless mess, with a good example of this close to hand for the assembled nine delegates. Yours, etc., Marlborough Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.