National Concert Hall.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 March 2006

Wednesday, 1 March 2006

Ceisteanna (42, 43, 44)

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

50 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8255/06]

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

58 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if there is any further update on the options for the delivery of the development of the National Concert Hall; if his Department is continuing to assess these options; when he will be in a position to make a recommendation to Government in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8195/06]

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

63 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his proposals to improve the accommodation available to the National Concert Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8266/06]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 58 and 63 together.

I refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No. 17 of 26 January 2006 when I advised that the Government has approved, in principle, the development of a new National Concert Hall on a public private partnership basis.

A provision of €42 million has been included in the 2006-10 capital envelope of my Department for site purchase. The options for the delivery of the project, as a public private partnership initiative, will be assessed by my Department in association with the Department of Finance, the Office of Public Works and the National Development Finance Agency over the next few months following which I will report to Government on the procurement issues involved.

Question No. 51 answered with QuestionNo. 38.