asked the Taoiseach the proposals, if any, he has to make a capital grant from funds provided by the national lottery to assist in funding the renovation and refurbishment of the Olympia Theatre, Dublin 2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Refurbishment of Olympia Theatre.
5.
This is primarily a matter for the Arts Council. I have allocated £800,000 this year from the national lottery to the council in addition to the Exchequer grant for 1987. The Olympia board have been advised that any request for assistance should be directed to the Arts Council.
Is the Taoiseach not aware that an application was first made for assistance by the Olympia Theatre as far back as last March? Is he not aware also that one allocation of money has been made from the national lottery fund since then without including this theatre? Can he indicate if there is any prospect that out of the next allocation of money from the national lottery this theatre will be included?
I would not rule it out. The way to deal with this matter is to leave it to the Arts Council. The allocation is to the Arts Council and they will have to consider how best they can dispose of that allocation.
I appreciate that the Taoiseach says that he would not rule it out. I am asking if he would rule it in. Is he in a position to give any opinion as to the merits of this application?
Of course it is a very meritorious application. As the Deputy knows, both he and I have received many representations about it. At the moment all I can say is that the proper channel is for the Olympia Theatre people to put their case to the Arts Council.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I shall certainly convey Deputy Dukes's view to the Arts Council.
May I take it that that is a definite "may be" from the Taoiseach?
May I take it that if the Arts Council effectively recommend that the Olympia Theatre receive funds from the lottery funds will be made available?
As I have said to Deputy Dukes, the position is that the proper source from which the Olympia Theatre should get funds, if it is to get funds, will be through the Arts Council. There will be an allocation of some funds to the Arts Council and it will then be a matter for them to decide how to distribute these extra funds.
Would the Taoiseach agree that all tickets sold so far in the national lottery were bought on the understanding that the surplus money after the prizes would go for arts and culture and to projects such as the Olympia Theatre and for sport? Would he agree that any change from that situation would be seriously detrimental to the national lottery and would be in breach of the terms of sale of the tickets?
If I were to judge from my own household, I would say that most tickets purchased in the national lottery are for the purpose of winning a prize.
Is that the aspiration?