asked the Minister for Finance the present position regarding possible assistance from the State for the Olympia Theatre, Dublin.
6.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Olympia Theatre Restoration.
5.
asked the Minister for Finance if the Government will now follow the lead given by Dublin Corporation who are allocating the sum of £100,000 towards the restoration of the Olympia Theatre by allocating a similar sum; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
The lessees of the theatre are pursuing against the lessors a claim to recover the cost of restoring the theatre. Pending the outcome, a decision on the application for State assistance does not arise.
Now it is a legal matter that is introduced. Would the Minister state that the Government, in principle, are agreeable to donating a sum towards the theatre if and when the present legal difficulties—if they exist —have disappeared? Could the Minister give some commitment on behalf of the State?
It is perfectly reasonable for the Government to wait and see whether there is money available from any source before committing themselves to the sort of assistance they may provide.
The EEC Regional Fund.
But the theatre is deteriorating at such a fast rate there will be none left if the Government do not make up their minds very shortly.
But the corporation have not yet made a decision.
Is the Minister aware that the corporation cultural committee have made a decision to recommend to council that £100,000 be given towards the restoration of the Olympia? Is the Minister not aware that were this money not forthcoming the Olympia Theatre would fall into such disrepair restoration would probably be impossible because of the state of the building? Would the Minister not agree that the Government, who have been looking for others to give a lead in this, should indicate some form of commitment to the restoration of the Olympia?
First of all, Dublin Corporation have not taken a decision on the recommendation of the cultural committee. Is that not so? That is the present position. Therefore, the corporation have not committed themselves. There is a clear indication that the Government are anxious to assist but they want to know where they are going and what would be the amount of assistance they would have to provide.
Question No. 7.
Is it not an ambiguous attitude on behalf of the Minister to state that the corporation have not yet made a decision? The city council have not yet taken a decision but the cultural committee have recommended this.
The Deputy is continuing to give information rather than seek it.
If what the Minister has stated is correct—that the city council, at their meeting on the 7th of this month, ratify the decision of the cultural committee, will the Minister then state that the Government will make a contribution?
No, the Minister has not said so in his reply. He says he will await the outcome of the court case.
Question No. 7.
The Minister's statement was that the Government are anxious to assist in this. May we take it that that is an answer to what Deputy Moore was seeking, a commitment, in principle?