Vol. 497 No. 2
327 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to concerns of the Irish Friends of Tennis Association in relation to the proposal by the Office of Public Works to convert the real tennis court at Earlsfort Terrace, which is one of only 30 in the world and dates from 1740, into a second recital space to be used by the National Concert Hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24334/98]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 195 of 9 June 1998 on this matter. I am aware that concerns have been expressed regarding the proposed change of use of this building from that of an engineering laboratory to a small public performance venue for the National Concert Hall.
I am of the opinion that the conversion of this building which currently resembles a small industrial factory to a public recital venue is fully justified. If the project is completed then significant restoration work will be carried out to the interior of this building which will reveal many of its interesting features and will arrest any further deterioration. The use of the building as a public performance venue under the aegis of the National Concert Hall will facilitate access to and appreciation of the building for the first time ever by the general public.
I am advised that the design for the proposed recital venue will not disturb, but will in fact improve and utilise, many of the original features of the interior of the building, including the black limestone floor, the roof trusses and roof lighting and the unique limestone clad walls. It is planned to retain and restore all these existing elements which comprised part of the original indoor tennis court, in such a way that will not preclude conversion back to its original use at some future date.
