Vol. 525 No. 5
130 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when she will conclude consideration of the advice received from the Arts Council and the Office of Public Works regarding proposed redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre building; if she has sought approval from Government to assist with the development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25578/00]
Deputies will be aware that I explained in my reply to Question No. 86 of 4 Deireadh Fómhair 2000 that the board of the National Theatre Society Ltd. had submitted a number of options to me in relation to the redevelopment of the Abbey and Peacock theatres and indicated that its preferred option was for the redevelopment of the theatres on the existing site at an estimated cost of £50 million. I sought the advice of the Arts Council and the Office of Public Works on this option with a view to bringing proposals to Government.
Recently, however, the board of the National Theatre Society indicated to me that, on foot of a proposal put to it by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, its preferred option now is to relocate the national theatre to a site at the Grand Canal Dock, subject to the funding package being available and terms being agreed with the Dublin Docklands Authority. The society has now advised that it would cost between £75 million and £90 million to develop a high quality landmark theatre on this site. I am now evaluating this option, in particular the financial support that will be required from Government.
