Enda Kenny
Question:1 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will make a statement on her proposals in relation to the Abbey Theatre, Dublin; and the plans, if any, she has in this regard. [20810/97]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Priority Questions. - Abbey Theatre.
The National Theatre Society Limited is funded on an annual basis by An Chomhairle Ealaíon, the Arts Council. Prior to 1993 responsibility for policy in arts and culture rested with the Taoiseach, and his Department did not exercise any role in the annual funding allocation to the society as determined by the council. However, on the establishment of the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht in 1993, a new arrangement was put in place by my predecessor in respect of the role of An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Minister in relation to the funding of the National Theatre Society Limited, the National Concert Hall and the Irish Museum of Modern Art whereby, under section 3.2 of the Arts Act, 1951, the advice of the council would be sought on the annual funding submissions of the National Concert Hall and IMMA. The new arrangement also involved the simultaneous transfer of the Abbey Theatre into the same category as the National Concert Hall and IMMA as a national cultural institution.
My predecessor indicated in an explanatory press release on 17 December 1993 that, as a result of these new arrangements he was putting in place, the only diminution in the role of An Chomhairle Ealaíon in the funding of the National Theatre Society Limited would be to remove from An Chomhairle the discretion to cut the level of funding to the Abbey below a sustainable level. These arrangements also represented a departure from the complete and exclusive discretion the Minister had hitherto in the funding of the National Concert Hall and IMMA.
I understand it was the intention to formalise the new funding arrangement for the Abbey, the National Concert Hall and IMMA — representing the three national cultural institutions for the contemporary arts — by establishing a separate subhead for their funding under the annual Vote for An Chomhairle Ealaíon. However, specific legislative authority was required to give effect to this arrangement and the matter was not addressed before the change of Government.
The new funding arrangement announced by my predecessor involved a new role for my Department in the annual funding allocation for the National Theatre Society Limited. This new role was manifested most clearly in 1996 when my Department chaired tripartite discussions with An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the society to review and make recommendations on the funding formula used by An Chomhairle in determining the annual grant to the society in 1994, 1995 and 1996. Although these tripartite discussions have yet to be completed, a consensus position was reached by the three parties on a new funding formula for the society which was implemented in full by the council in determining its allocation for 1997, resulting in an overall funding increase of 11 per cent this year over 1996.
I am unclear as to the efficacy or relevance of the new funding arrangements for the National Theatre Society Limited, the National Concert Hall and IMMA which were introduced by my predecessor but am aware the National Concert Hall and IMMA have never been entirely happy with them. In all the circumstances, I propose to re-establish the tripartite discussions between my Department, An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the National Theatre Society Limited to review the funding arrangements introduced by my predecessor, based on experience to date, and to establish the best way to proceed in the future. I also propose, separately, to seek the views of the National Concert Hall and IMMA about their experience of the funding relationship with An Chomhairle which was introduced in 1993.
I confirm my view that the National Theatre Society Limited should be regarded as a national cultural institution. The rather complex shareholding structure of the company is totally at variance with the other national cultural institutions of the State and the relationship that exists between them and me as Minister. In the context of proposals emerging for the capital development of the theatres as outlined in the position paper "A Theatre for the Millennium", I favour the retention of the Abbey Theatre on its historic site on Lower Abbey Street.
I thank the Minister for her comprehensive reply. She said she is unclear about the efficacy of the current funding proposals and intends to re-establish the tripartite body. She must, therefore, have her own views on a better funding mechanism. Will she outline these views to the House?
I made it clear I want to see how the tripartite discussions between the council, the Abbey Theatre and the Department progress. This is the way the institutions wish to proceed at present. Following the discussions I will be able to decide how to proceed.
The centenary of the Abbey Theatre will take place in 2004. Last March the Minister said her party supported the plan for a new national centre which was being discussed at that time by the National Theatre Society Limited, which also considered the proposal from the Arts Council. If the Minister favours the retention of the Abbey Theatre on its traditional site — her party supported this proposal last March — does she think the new national centre will be established by 2004?
It is important not to mix up two very important reports, the FORTÉ report, which deals with music, and the PIANO report. Fianna Fáil said in Opposition — this is part of the programme for Government — that it would do everything possible to establish a centre for the performing arts.
I think the Deputy is referring to a newspaper report on An Chomhairle Ealaíon's plans to locate the Abbey Theatre and other theatres in the docklands. I said I agreed in principle with the establishment of a performing arts centre, but, as I said on a number of occasions, I would prefer this centre to be located on the Earlsfort Terrace site. The Abbey Theatre has a great history and tradition and these factors are important when deciding on its location. This is why it is important to leave the Abbey Theatre on its present site.
I share the Minister's view on the importance of maintaining the Abbey Theatre on its present site. What grant aid has been paid to the Abbey Theatre this year and what are the projected losses? Does the Minister have proposals to deal with this issue?
I do not have the figures with me. However, there was a substantial increase in the allocation to the Abbey Theatre this year. The Deputy's inquiry is not part of the original question and, therefore, I do not have the information at hand. If he needs further information I will send it to him.
Half the time allocated for priority questions has been taken up with one question.