Joe Costello
Question:75 Mr. Costello 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. [22205/03]
Written Answers. - National Concert Hall.
The National Concert Hall, NCH, 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 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, established in July 2000 to examine and report on all the issues involved in relation to the NCH at Earlsfort Terrace, the Office of Public Works was asked to put together, in consultation with the management of the National Concert Hall, a full brief setting out the accommodation and ancillary requirements of the National Concert Hall for the foreseeable future.
In light of the requirements as identified in this brief, my Department, together with the Office of Public Works, has been in discussions with the Dublin Docklands Development Authority to establish the availability and suitability of a site in the Grand Canal Dock area of Dublin as a possible alternative location for the National Concert Hall. Specific proposals which have emerged from these discussions are being examined by my Department, the National Concert Hall and the Office of Public Works.
Question No. 76 answered with Question No. 65.