Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Abbey Theatre.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2005

Tuesday, 10 May 2005

Ceisteanna (31, 32, 33)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

72 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in relation to the proposed relocation of the Abbey Theatre; the recent discussions he has had with the board and director of the theatre in this respect; if he has undertaken an assessment of the recent court case regarding the old Carlton Cinema site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14995/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

74 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the availability of the Carlton Cinema site for the relocation of the Abbey Theatre; if other sites are under active consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15026/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

75 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position with regard to the relocation of the Abbey Theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15059/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 74 and 75 together.

As I have previously informed the House on a number of occasions, I was authorised by Government to invite expressions of interest by way of public invitation from the private sector in participating, on the basis of a PPP, in the capital redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre in and-or around the vicinity of the site of the existing theatre.

My preference would have been to redevelop the theatre at its present location. However, when it became apparent that the timeframe for the acquisition of the additional properties necessary to render the existing location suitable was indeterminate, I arranged for a trawl of other available city centre locations. At this point in time, that trawl has not yet reached a conclusion.

As I have previously informed the House, a site was identified at Coláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square which it appeared might, along with an adjacent building, have provided the necessary footprint to meet the accommodation requirements of the redeveloped Abbey Theatre. Unfortunately, as the owner of the adjacent premises was not prepared to sell them to the State for what my advisers considered a fair market price, there was no option but to withdraw from the negotiations.

The former Carlton Cinema site was also in the frame as a possibility. I am aware there has been a High Court judgement in relation to the compulsory purchase order on this site. However, it is solely a matter for the parties to that judgement, which do not include my Department or the Office of Public Works, to assess the implications of this judgement. Until such time as all legal issues are resolved, it would be premature either for my Department or for OPW to engage in negotiations in relation to the Carlton site. I have said that should this site appear to become available for the redevelopment of the Abbey, I will have the position carefully evaluated.

Recently the Dublin Docklands Development Authority offered a site at George's Dock and I have asked the OPW to explore the options for this site with the DDDA without any commitment on either side. These discussions are ongoing.

I assure the Deputy of my unrelenting efforts to identify a suitable location and I am in constant contact with the Office of Public Works to that end. I have kept the chairperson of the board of the Abbey Theatre informed of developments and I remain confident that a suitable site will be identified and acquired in due course.

Question No. 73 answered with QuestionNo. 69.
Questions Nos. 74 and 75 answered with Question No. 72.
Question No. 76 answered with QuestionNo. 68.
Barr
Roinn