In 1981 the National Concert Hall was built within the Earlsfort Terrace complex to fill a major gap in the cultural infrastructure of the city as a venue suitable for classical musical performance. The Concert Hall shares its accommodation with UCD and it was recognised from the outset that the overall space allocated to it and the backstage accommodation, in its broadest interpretation, was fairly confined.
Since its establishment the NCH has developed as a venue for many forms of musical performance and has to meet increasingly stringent health and safety regulations and requirements. The inadequacies inherent in the original location are now a serious constraint on its operations. In addition, it most notably lacks a self-contained auditorium for musical performances of a more intimate character.
Accordingly I, together with the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Woods, authorised the Secretaries General of the Departments of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, and Education and Science, together with the Chairman of the Office of Public Works to form a high level group to examine and report on all the issues involved in relation to the NCH at Earlsfort Terrace.
I am advised that the high level group is currently considering the draft of its report to Ministers and that the option of the relocation of the National Concert Hall to a State owned site at Infirmary Road and Conyngham Road is one of a number of possibilities being considered. I anticipate that the group will soon submit its final report and recommendations to me and to the Minister for Education and Science for consideration, following which proposals requiring further action will be brought to Government for decision.