Plans for a national conference centre in the Dublin docklands to be approved and to transform the north quays.
Controversy has surrounded the building of a national conference centre since it was first mooted. Bord Fáilte is now recommending that the Treasury Holdings plan be accepted.
The national convention centre will be located between the Point Depot and the Financial Services Centre on the northside of the River Liffey. If it finally goes ahead, the plan will transform the north quays.
The Conference Centre will be a large glass-fronted building fronting onto the River Liffey.
The venue will have the capacity to host large scale international gatherings. Construction will cost £75 million with £25 million coming from the government through EU funding. The convention centre is just one part of a £750 million development plan for the site which will include two hotels, shops, restaurants, 1.3 million square feet of office space, as well as high density housing which will include two 24 storey blocks. The site is owned by CIÉ who will retain the freehold.
Even if the plan is approved, it will be January 2001 before the first conference is held at the centre.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 20 June 1998. The reporter is Margaret Ward.
