Simon Coveney
Question:9 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the future development of the National Concert Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16176/03]
Other Questions. - National Concert Hall.
As I indicated in my reply to a similar question from the Deputy on 26 February last, the National Concert Hall is the premier venue for classical musical performance in Dublin. It was built within the Earlsfort Terrace complex and shares its accommodation with University College Dublin. From the outset, it was recognised that there were inadequacies in relation to the overall space allocated to it and that backstage accommodation, in particular, was limited.
On foot of Government consideration of the report of the high level group – established in July 2000 to examine and report on all the issues involved in relation to the NCH at Earlsfort Terrace and comprising the Secretaries General of the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, the Department of Education and Science and the chairman of the Office of Public Works – the Office of Public Works was asked to put together, in consultation with the management of the National Concert Hall, a full brief of physical and other requirements tailored to serve the needs of the National Concert Hall for the foreseeable future.
In the light of this brief, my Department, together with the Office of Public works, is in detailed discussion with the Dublin Docklands Development Authority regarding the adequacy and suitability of a site in the Grand Canal Dock area of Dublin as a site to relocate the National Concert Hall. These discussions are ongoing.
Given that we are losing major international performances because we are unable to stage them in the National Concert Hall due to space limitations and the size of the auditorium, does the Minister agree it is urgent to provide a new arrangement? Does the Minister foresee the National Concert Hall moving to a new site, as he more or less indicated this morning during the debate on the Estimates, or is there a possibility that by expanding the present National Concert Hall that it could accommodate the type of international performance that is needed? I remind the Minister that some 300,000 domestic patrons watched performances in the National Concert Hall last year. It is important that our own people have proper facilities as well. When assessing the requirements, will the Minister clarify whether the concert hall will be moved to a new site or will there be an expanded National Concert Hall on the existing site?
Despite its drawbacks, the present location of the National Concert Hall is premier in terms of the design of the building in which it is housed and its location. Accordingly, any recommendation we make to Government to relocate the hall must take account of this reality. A relocated National Concert Hall complex at the Grand Canal Harbour site must adequately provide a remedy for the many serious and long-standing shortcomings of the current location at Earlsfort Terrace. It should have its own unique building identity, adequate surrounding public space and it should give a sense of place. A feasibility study was undertaken on behalf of the Office of Public Works regarding the adequacy of a site offered by the Dublin Docklands Authority in the Grand Canal Docks area for the purposes of a new national concert hall. My Department and the Office of Public Works are involved in discussions with the authority regarding the availability of an adequate site at that location. These discussions are ongoing and it would be premature to anticipate their outcome.
Were costings taken into consideration in the feasibility study? Will the Minister indicate what timescale is envisaged for this process?
We are not at the stage of costings. The timescale must be examined against the backdrop of the many issues involved. It would not be fair of me to hazard a guess on a timescale based on the information I have which is an inadequate basis for speculation.