asked the Taoiseach the steps, if any, he has taken to ensure that the proposed development at the Port and Docks site in Dublin 1 will include a centre devoted to culture and the arts; if he will make provision to have incorporated in that centre a gallery of modern art and a museum to display the National Folk collection now stored in Daingean, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Development of Port and Docks Site.
1.
A feasibility study has now been completed on the possibility of developing an Exhibition Centre, at the Custom House Docks site, which would house a National Folk Museum, a Gallery of Modern Art as well as a Science and Technology Museum. The study is being examined by my Department, in consultation with the Custom House Docks Development Authority and other appropriate agencies. The Deputy will appreciate that in the present budgetary situation this examination will have to have particular regard to the financial implications of any such development.
Is the Taoiseach aware that the idea is very much favoured by the Custom House Docks Authority because of the added attraction for commercial developments? Is the Taoiseach personally in favour of such a development and will he be seeking progress on the matter?
Yes, I would certainly favour any development which would add to the artistic and cultural environment of our capital city, but the Deputy will be aware of the budgetary constraints which apply and any project of this nature would have to be seriously regarded in that context.
Is the Taoiseach considering the possibility of having this incorporated in whatever commercial development takes place there? It might possibly be done at no cost to the State.
The modern phrase is that there is no such thing as a free lunch. I would very much like to have various cultural facilities added to our capital city if this could be done at no cost to the Exchequer, but that is not always possible or feasible.
Pursuing the idea of a cheap lunch, will the Taoiseach be seeking to involve whatever commercial developments locate there?
If we could have these facilities provided by some generous commercial enterprise that would be very welcome.
Could the Taoiseach indicate the time-table for the unveiling of the development plans for the Custom House Docks site and when they will be available to the public?
Under pressure from my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, the time-scale has been shortened very considerably and I do not think it will be very long before positive action will be unveiled for the benefit of all those interested and the general public.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that the provision of 35 per cent of the net proceeds of the national lottery, given that the lottery is proving to be more successful than expected, would provide the necessary resources to finance the kind of development referred to in the question?
That is a possible source of funding for various artistic and cultural developments, but I would remind the Deputy and many others who are voicing opinions about what should be done with the lottery funds that it is not a little pot of gold at the bottom of the garden.
Is the Taoiseach not aware that far from voicing opinions about what might be done, I am referring to the Government decision to allocate 35 per cent of the net proceeds to culture and the arts and the Irish language? Does he not accept that this decision — which I take it he does not propose to rescind — will provide the necessary resources?
My colleague, the Minister for Finance, will be giving information today about the decisions of this Government in regard to the disposal of the lottery funds.