The Government has confirmed the selection of Spencer Dock in Dublin as the site for the proposed national conference centre, which is expected to be completed by 2009. Minister for Tourism John O'Donoghue said yesterday that the Spencer Dock International Consortium - Treasury Holdings and Irish Rail - had been confirmed as the preferred bidder for the centre, which will be constructed on a public-private partnership basis. The €400 million development close to Connolly Station and the Point Theatre will include a 250-bed, five-star hotel. Designed by architect Kevin Roche, the proposal already has planning permission.
