As the Deputy is aware the Government decided to proceed with the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre at George's Dock on a Build, Finance, and Maintain (BFM) basis. At the same time, the Government agreed to hold an international design competition for the new Abbey Theatre.
I am sure the Deputy would agree, given the significance of this project, that time and care is vital in planning it. The Government is committed to providing a National Theatre of world class and scale. Once the winning design has been selected the building will be procured on a BFM Public Private Partnership basis. It is expected that the planning and procurement arrangements will take a further 12 months to finalise and the building will take 18 months to complete.
Given the timescale involved in procuring a new National Theatre, the existing National Theatre is expected to remain in situ for some time yet. Much of the equipment at the Abbey has become obsolete and age-worn. The works carried out are essential from a customer service and a health and safety perspective and I am satisfied that the works are necessary. The Abbey Theatre Board is independent of me in decisions of this nature. I understand, in any event, that the seating installation is modular; it can be reassembled elsewhere, if necessary. Just because the Abbey is due to be relocated is not sufficient reason to allow our National Theatre to fall into disrepair. I note that the newly installed seating, which vastly improves the theatre experience for customers and practitioners alike has been roundly welcomed.