The chief executive of the Royal Dublin Society (RDS), Mr Shane Cleary, has criticised the length of time it is taking to select a site for the National Conference Centre.
Mr Cleary said he had never known any decision to take so long. The RDS is one of five consortiums tendering for the project. It has been awarded the project twice previously, only to have it taken away. It first drew up plans for such a project in 1989.
Mr Cleary said he still believed that the RDS was the best group to run it. He said it was important that a decision should be made quickly - whether the RDS wins it or not.
Mr Cleary was speaking before yesterday evening's news that all five contenders would be invited to discuss their proposals with an independent committee because none of them met all the criteria laid down in the tendering process.
Mr Cleary said the RDS still intended to press ahead with a conference centre which will cater for 1,000 delegates, irrespective of the outcome of the Conference Centre project. He was speaking at the announcement of the RDS financial results for 1997 which showed a 17 per cent rise in operating profits to £679,000, compared to 1996.
Mr Cleary said the RDS would spend around £1 million developing the conference centre on part of the society's 42-acre site in Ballsbridge with an entry from Anglesea Road. The society will apply for planning permission within the next few weeks and it is expected to be operating by mid1999.
It is part of an ongoing redevelopment plan which will see £3.5 million spent over the next three years in Ballsbridge. New developments will include an additional exhibition hall, administrative offices and equestrian facilities. Mr Cleary said the RDS was examining various ways to increase its income. This includes possibly developing apartments on the site and renting them out. He said the society had no plans "nor did it need to" sell off any land. "At the same time, it is important to derive significant income from the site," he added.
Mr Cleary said five years ago the society was at "zero profitability" and was now performing well. He declined to give profit projections for this year, but said he believed the RDS could double its current profits in five years.
Last year its letting income increased by four per cent - to more than £2.6 million. It also introduced an automatic system on its Merrion Road car park which has reduced unauthorised car parking and significantly increased revenues.
Total income last year was £4,739,000, up from £4,607,000. The surplus from investments was £875,000, up from £779,000 in 1996.
The RDS retains approximately one-third of its income for investment and one-third for refurbishment. The remainder goes to fund activities in arts, industry, science and agriculture. Last year £500,000 went towards these activities.
The RDS is leasing a 3.3 acre site at the junction of Merrion and Simmonscourt roads for a five-star hotel which will be operated by the Canadian-based Four Seasons hotel group.
