Sir, - The recent proposal to construct a new national stadium at a cost of close to £300 million highlights Ireland's continuing lack of planning in the use of funds for national projects.
While an additional large, modern sports facility is obviously desirable, it is mystifying that the Government can make a proposal such as this and yet is unable to find the relatively small amount of money needed to build a national conference Centre. we continue to struggle forward as the only country in Europe without a purpose-built conference centre, and despite full planning permission for this project at Spencer Dock, we are unable to move forward because of the lack of even partial funding to support this essential national facility.
With a projected construction cost of only £90 million, of which £26 million is already committed from the EU, a national conference centre is projected to be used year-round and produce an income to the State in excess of £100 million a year.
We again call on the Government and business interests to resolve the minor difficulties blocking the construction of this vital facility. - Yours, etc.,
Noel Mitchell, Secretary, Association of Irish Professional Conference Organisers, Pembroke Place, Dublin 4.