Deirdre Clune
Ceist:86 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans she has to support the proposed re-development of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20637/00]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Abbey Theatre Redevelopment.
I have already made clear my wish to support the Board of the National Theatre in its plans to create an Abbey Theatre which can look with confidence to affirming its role at the heart of theatrical development in Ireland as the theatre approaches the centenary of its foundation.
The board has submitted proposals to me regarding the development of the National Thea tre, that is the Abbey and Peacock Theatres, and I met with its representatives on site to discuss the issues. I have received advice from the Arts Council and the Office of Public Works. I am currently evaluating their advice and will then embark on a process of consultation with my Cabinet colleagues with a view to obtaining a Government decision as quickly as possible thereafter.
I thank the Minister for her reply. I noted when this was announced during the summer that she mentioned she would discuss the matter with the Minister for Finance with a view to providing funding. The Estimates are coming up shortly and there will be a budget in December. This is an important project. It is, after all, the National Theatre. Has the Minister had any indication of the Minister for Finance's response or has she approached him yet? Will there be any method of obtaining funding for this development under any EU programme?
I am sure the Deputy is aware of the history and the current state of the building and of the different reports which have been asked of the Abbey Theatre regarding its situation. In 1994 an architectural review of the buildings was commissioned but unfortunately nothing happened as a result of that review.
As I stated in my reply, I took the opportunity of discussing this on more than one occasion with those who are involved in this project in the Abbey Theatre. I think all of us in this House would immediately say that the conditions in the Abbey Theatre leave a lot to be desired. We are talking about a national theatre. We know and can all be proud of the work that is done there. What we want are facilities to match the particular high quality of performances which can be seen there.
With regard to my discussions, a number of options have been put forward to deal with this matter. One is the option which I would term the "do little" option, in other words, tinker around at the edges with the existing building. Another option is to remain on site and undertake extensive work on the site. The third option would be to consider a greenfield site. Some of these options must be considered. I wish to give some idea of the costs which would be involved in this. The first option should not be considered. We cannot deal with this matter by just tinkering around at the edges. We need a radical approach to this and, therefore, that leaves the other two options, to move to a greenfield site or remain on the existing site. If it were to be on the existing site, the amount of money about which we would be talking would be about £50 million. If we were to go to a greenfield site, we would be talking about £60 million to £65 million, but those within the Abbey Theatre are discussing these issues at present to find the best way forward as between options two and three. There are many who would like the Abbey Theatre to remain on the present site for historical reasons. That kind of continuity could be important to many but this matter is being reviewed by those in the Abbey Theatre.
We must look at this in a radical way in terms of finance. To answer the Deputy's question regarding the moneys which will be available, she is perfectly correct in saying that these moneys are not available in my Vote as it stands and, therefore, I will have to look to my ministerial colleagues, particularly the Minister for Finance, for assistance on this. As I have said, I intend to put forward all these proposals to my Cabinet colleagues without further delay and I hope to receive support for this project.
Does the Minister anticipate that there will be 100% funding from the State, whether the amount will be £50 million, £60 million or £65 million?
This is obviously something which must be discussed. Very often the approach adopted is not simply one of Government funding, but there are other approaches to fundraising etc. which have been adopted on other projects throughout the country. We must first establish the principle and the path we wish to take. Then a Government decision will be made, particularly involving the Minister for Finance, on the amount of moneys which will be made available. I have spoken to the Minister but we will be going into more detail on the bilateral issues. We will have an opportunity to discuss this with him and to give him more of the facts and figures on this issue. First we must establish the principle. Then we can see how those moneys can be attained.
Has the Minister a timeframe in mind?
The Abbey Theatre has put forward a strong case for many facets of its argument. It is continuing to look at the options and it wishes to come back to me on that before any final decision is made, but I have said that I wish to see a radical approach to this and not simply one which tries to tinker with it. All of us recognise that the Abbey Theatre needs extensive work and I am sure all of us would wish to see that done.