I thank you, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to raise this very important matter, which deals not alone with the Gaiety Theatre but with the state of the theatre generally and the fact that the 23 per cent VAT on theatre tickets has an enormous effect on the theatre-going population generally.
I want to say at the outset that I have no axe to grind with the Minister, Deputy Nealon, or with the Government, because I recognise that successive Governments have taken very positive approaches to the theatre. I also recognise that Deputy Haughey intervened to save the Gate and that the Olympia, to some extent, has been supported by the Government. Equity has had the support of my own family and of successive Governments also.
My purpose in raising this matter on the Adjournment is not to criticise but to tease out the present situation of the Gaiety. My purpose is two-fold: I believe that not only Dubliners but people all over the country have great affection for the Gaiety and appreciate the very high standard of the shows that have been seen in that theatre over the years. Traditionally, the Dublin Grand Opera Society, the Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society, Maureen Potter, the late Jimmy O'Dea and so on, have put on wonderful shows there. The Minister will recall with affection, as I do, the old Theatre Royal. We know what happened there. Where that theatre once stood we now have an office complex. My purpose in raising this question is not to wave banners for any particular type of management, but to ask the Minister to ensure that whoever is responsible for the Gaiety Theatre will continue to put on shows for the public.
Consideration should be given to the 48 employees of the theatre, many of whom are in their sixties and seventies.
They have devoted their lives to the theatre and have given a very worth-while service for which we can feel very proud. At the end of the day, these people will end up without redundancy payments or pensions to tide them over the latter part of their lives. Yet they are prepared to devote more of their professionalism to this theatre by foregoing four weeks' pay. If those 48 workers are prepared to do that, the Government and the Minister have an obligation to ensure the Gaiety Theatre is kept open for the Christmas period.
The present owners are not seeking £40,000, which has been extensively reported in the newspapers, but simply the underwriting of £40,000. That is not an enormous risk, although there may be a marginal risk, involved. The present owners believe they can put on local shows, as well as the Dublin Grand Opera Society and the Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society, which would repay the money if the Government were to underwrite it.
I appreciate the difficulty the Minister finds himself in. The Gaiety Theatre needs considerable renovation. I was there recently with one of the Minister's representatives, talking to the owners. I understand the Minister and the Arts Council have received assurances from the Gaiety Theatre (Dublin) Limited, the owners of the premises, that they want to close down for three or four months to renovate the premises. This will involve spending a great deal of money. That is fine if we can be assured that this theatre will reopen but I do not think the Minister can give such a guarantee. As I said, I have no axe to grind with either side; all I want is an assurance that the Gaiety Theatre will reopen.
The Olympia Theatre is one of the few theatres capable of accommodating a production of any size. If the Gaiety closes down the Olympia have said they will accommodate the Dublin Grand Opera Society and the Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society, but there are considerable costs involved for these two very worthy organisations. In times of recession it is important that the theatre — ballet, opera and so on — has the support of the Government, because at such times people are depressed.
I hear complaints about buskers and actors performing in Grafton Street and so on, but I see nothing to complain about because I approve of street theatre. In my view it adds colour to the scene and gives hope to the many spectators. People respond positively to this type of entertainment. Every encouragement should be given to these people. The Government have an obligation to support live theatre and should be prepared to intervene positively to save the Gaiety from closure over the Christmas period. The Gaiety Theatre over the years has had an enormous cultural and morale boosting effect on the nation. We have been mean and mealy-mouthed enough about the theatre.
The Government should remove the 23 per cent VAT on theatre tickets. I should like to remind the House that in a similar situation VAT was removed from books. A special case can be made for the theatre for the removal of VAT. The argument may be put up against that suggestion that the Olympia Theatre and others are commercial enterprises, but we must also take into consideration the voluntary theatres that are under severe threat. Many of those involved in such theatres have told me that if there is not a change with great urgency in regard to VAT on theatre tickets we will not have any theatres in the city within 18 months. I am sure the Minister appreciates the urgency of this matter. In fact I do not think any great amount of revenue accrues to the Government from this tax.
The Dublin Theatre Festival, which has just concluded, was a great success, and that was an indication of the enormous support that exists here for good theatre. The same situation exists in Belfast where a very effective theatre and music festival is held. In Cork an excellent film festival and a jazz festival are held also. If we depress them we destroy the morale of a lot of people and their feeling for things cultural. I accept that the Minister of State has taken a great interest in the Gaiety Theatre and I sympathise with him having regard to the circumstances he finds himself in. However, he should meet the management of the Gaiety Theatre and ask them to set up a trust to bring them through the Christmas period. I am sure they will respond positively. He should try to ensure that if the theatre is closed down for five months money will be spent on the badly needed renovation. The musty smell there indicates that some renovation is needed. The Minister should enter into negotiations tomorrow morning with regard to setting up a trust. I believe the management of the theatre are acting in good faith. I have no reason to believe that the contents of the letter sent to the Minister of State and the Arts Council are not true, but I am worried that in these times of recession and great pressure, and with the development of the Gallagher site opposite the theatre, they may be encouraged to develop the site into an office block. I understand the financial pressures that would be on the management to develop the site as an office block. That would be legitimate business, but as leaders in our community we must make known our views about this matter.
I am aware that the Minister of State has taken a personal interest in this matter and I have no axe to grind with him on that score. He is aware that the major commercial theatres in the city are as important as any other theatres. They have all been hopelessly under capitalised and we are all aware of the reasons for that. There have been a number of greedy people taking too much out of the theatre and not putting a lot into it. However there are many people in the theatre world who have put a lot into it but did not get anything out of it. Successive Governments have taken too much out of the theatre by way of VAT. It would be wrong of me not to impress upon the Minister of State the urgent need to appeal to the Minister for Finance to reduce the penal taxation on the theatre. If the Gaiety Theatre does not survive the Christmas period the city, and the country, will be a lot poorer. Even at a time when there is pruning in every Department it is vital that something is done about preserving the Gaiety Theatre.
I understand that, if I conclude before my time, the Ceann Comhairle will permit me to question the Minister later.
