Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2004
58 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the Office of Public Works has recommended a site for the new national theatre; and if an announcement will be made by the Government before the end of 2004 on the new location. [31547/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have given a commitment that the Government will specify its choice of location for the development of the Abbey Theatre before the end of the theatre's centenary year. I expect to honour this commitment. The Office of Public Works has completed its evaluation of potentially suitable city centre locations and indicated its preferred option. I intend to convey the OPW recommendation to the Cabinet in the next week or so, following which I will make an announcement. Out of courtesy to my Cabinet colleagues, the Deputy will understand I cannot comment further on this issue in advance of a Government decision.
I welcome the Minister's historic and important announcement. I acknowledge that he made a commitment in this regard following Opposition pressure and stuck to it. It is fitting that the announcement should be made in the Abbey Theatre's centenary year. There is no better way to celebrate its centenary than by making the announcement on its new location. I hope the Coláiste Mhuire site will be selected because it is suitable. The Dublin Writers Museum and the Hugh Lane Art Gallery are located in Parnell Square and the Gate Theatre is nearby. There would be a synergy between both the visual and the performing arts and it would be a good location.
I also acknowledge the Minister's allocation of €2 million to the Abbey Theatre which has run into debt. That is also good news for it because it did not generate the amount it had hoped through sponsorship. Given that the Minister will shortly make a recommendation on the site to the Cabinet, will he give a commitment that work on the project will commence in 2005 or 2006? If it cannot, when does the Minister expect it to commence and be completed? In the meantime, will the theatre be kept open to continue the Abbey's current programme?
The Abbey will be kept open pending completion of work on a new theatre. We are at the point of selecting the site for the new national theatre and I expect to be in a position to go to the Government within the next week or so to obtain its decision which I have promised will be conveyed to the Abbey Theatre board and the public before the end of the year, given that this is the centenary of the theatre. I acknowledge the support of Deputies Deenihan and Wall and other Opposition Deputies for the construction of a new theatre.
Despite the fact that this is one of the most creative and imaginative generations of Irish people, there is no signature building giving expression to that creativity and imagination. Therefore, the new theatre is of pivotal importance, not just in terms of the continuation of the Abbey but of giving expression through public architecture of that creativity and imagination to realise the ambition of providing the people with a new national theatre. This is something which has general support and I look forward to the Government's decision.
I am not in a position to state when building work might commence. However, I hope to make the announcement on the site prior to the end of the year in order to mark the centenary of the Abbey and as a matter of necessity. I hope we can then progress the construction of the new theatre at the earliest possible opportunity. I will not be found wanting in that regard.
Will provision be made in the budget or has it already been made in the Estimates to provide funding for the new theatre and allow the preparatory work to commence?
No funding has been provided in the Estimates for 2005 for the construction of a new theatre. Obviously, it is something which will require much planning. I would be astounded if the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, was to surprise me this afternoon in the budget.
Is there funding for design work and so on?
