I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 41 together.
In July 2006, the Government approved arrangements for the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre at George's Dock on a Build, Finance, and Maintain (BFM) basis. It also approved the holding of an international design competition for the new Abbey Theatre. Once a winning design has been selected the building will be procured by means of a Build/Finance/Maintain (BFM) Public Private Partnership.
The OPW are at an advanced stage in drawing up the technical specifications for the design competition. A jury is being set up to select the winning design. The jury will have representatives from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the OPW, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, the Arts Council and the Abbey. It is hoped that a suitable design will be available by summer 2007. Once the design has been selected a competition will then be held to procure the contract for the PPP. A construction phase of approximately 18-24 months is envisaged once the PPP contract has been signed.