Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 April 2004
137 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a final decision has been reached regarding the refurbishment of the national theatre on its present site, in view of the difficulties being encountered in acquiring the necessary additional property adjacent to the existing site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10663/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn foot of Government decisions of 19 February 2002 and 29 January 2003, the Office of Public Works has carried out a preliminary assessment of the property acquisition issues arising in the context of redeveloping the national theatre at its existing location via a public private partnership. This assessment indicates that the acquisition of property which would be essential for redevelopment at the existing location could be very costly and time-consuming. Redevelopment at the existing location would thus appear to be problematic.
As a result, I am considering how this development should progress, in view of the Government's commitment to provide a new home for the national theatre and of the critical importance of this development to national cultural life.
I support the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in this matter. The replacement of the Abbey Theatre as a national institution is a priority and should be a national project. Will the Minister confirm the decision not to go ahead with a redevelopment on the existing site?
The Office of Public Works and the Abbey Theatre project teams worked together and produced a blueprint of the theatre's requirements. That design could fit into the Carlton site, depending on how much ground is made available. There is a court case related to that at present and the Minister cannot indicate the outcome at this stage but is it one of the locations that is being considered? Are other locations in the Dublin docklands or on a greenfield site being considered? Is the Minister happy with the agreed blueprint of requirements produced by the Office of Public Works and the Abbey Theatre project team in terms of the needs of the Abbey Theatre as the national theatre?
It is agreed that the new theatre must be a signature development that is reflective of a national theatre in the 21st century and that it should be in an appropriate civic setting and form part of the overall urban regeneration represented by the O'Connell Street integrated area plan and the north-east inner city plan. Clearly, three significant enlarged auditoria are required, as are a dedicated education and outreach facility, a publicly accessible archive, a restaurant and bar, public areas, disabled access for audiences and artists, best practice theatre production facilities and a third multi-purpose space outside the significantly enlarged auditoria.
A theatre on the present Abbey Theatre site would be extremely problematic and, in those circumstances, it appears there will be little alternative other than to look elsewhere. In this context, the Carlton cinema site will have to be viewed as an option but that will become clearer after judgment has been given in the High Court hearing into Dublin City Council's CPO.
I am glad the Minister has confirmed that it is not intended to proceed with problematic acquisitions on the existing site — that is progress. I visited the Abbey Theatre last week with Deputy Deenihan and, to put it mildly, the facilities, space and entire area are totally outdated, outmoded and antiquated. I compliment the 100 or so staff on their work in promoting our national culture. The backstage and upstairs of the building are too cramped, crowded, damp, dark and unfit. In that context, I support the Minister's view.
The centenary of the founding of the Abbey Theatre will be 27 December. Will the Minister arrange for talks to resume between the OPW, his Department and the Abbey Theatre to update the necessary requirements for a national theatre of which we can be justly proud in this centenary year?
I do not want the Minister to prejudice the court case but does he have a personal preference for the theatre to be placed in a city centre, for example, on O'Connell Street, given the three high standard criteria he has laid down or is he willing to look at a greenfield site, for example, in the docklands area?
There is general recognition that a national theatre should be a signature development. Most people would prefer to see the new national theatre in the centre of the city. In this regard, the plans for the rejuvenation and regeneration of O'Connell Street come to mind. It is clear that, despite our living in one of the most imaginative and creative generations of Irish people, there is no architectural public expression of that creativity or imagination and this project presents the opportunity to do precisely that. I sincerely hope that an adequate site becomes available — in the city centre preferably — because that is what most people desire. It would contribute greatly to the rejuvenation of O'Connell Street, which is something everyone regards as desirable.
However, we are faced with the difficulty of acquiring a site. It is clear from the OPW's report that there are serious problems in regard to the present Abbey Theatre site in respect of cost and time. In those circumstances, as I indicated earlier to Deputy Kenny, it will be necessary to look elsewhere and the Department is doing that. The Carlton cinema site is one option but the outcome of a reserve judgment from the High Court is awaited.
One final question——
Sorry, Deputy Kenny, we have spent eight minutes on this question and, in fairness to other Deputies——
In fairness to the national theatre——
I call Question No. 138 in the name of Deputy Wall.
This is most unfair.
The Chair has been more than generous to Deputy Kenny.
The national theatre has existed for 100 years and I am just looking for an extra 30 seconds.
I appreciate that but six minutes are allocated for a Priority Question. As the Deputy is a party leader, he was allowed two minutes extra. In fairness to other Deputies in the House——
It is grossly unfair.
I assure Deputy Kenny that every effort will be made to advance the matter.
