asked the Minister for Finance if he will state whether his immediate predecessor in office had been in negotiation for the purchase of the Rotunda Cinema and Assembly Room Buildings with a view to providing a suitable concert hall for the broadcasting of Radio Eireann and other concerts; and had also been in negotiation with the Board of the Rotunda Hospital for the acquisition of the additional ground required for the building; and whether agreement had been reached with all concerned, arising out of which plans for the concert hall had been prepared by the Office of Public Works; if he will further state what the present position is in the matter; and whether he will make a copy of the plans for the building available in the Library for inspection by members of the Oireachtas, and also make other copies available in some suitable place for inspection by the general public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Concert Hall at Rotunda.
Early in 1948 negotiations were initiated with a view to acquiring property which included the Rotunda Picture House and some adjoining buildings and ground for the purposes of a concert hall. A number of interests were involved in the premises in question and conclusive agreement had not been reached with any of the several parties concerned when in May, 1948, the Government decided, on grounds of economy, that the concert hall project should be deferred. The negotiations thereupon terminated.
At the time the Government decision to defer the project was taken planning had not proceeded beyond the stage of tentative sketch design; and in the circumstances no useful purpose would be served by exhibiting those sketch plans as suggested by the Deputy.