Ms Sheila Pratschke:

The reason we chose that figure was because at that point in the planning for 2019 we did not want to unbalance or disturb the viability of the Abbey Theatre to programme, make commitments or sign contracts. We wanted to chose a figure that was large enough to indicate our concern.

At this point it might be no harm to emphasise the fact that the increased payment - the proper payment - to artists and all of the people who work in the Abbey will come out of the Abbey Theatre budget. Independent production companies will not be topping up the payment. The independent production companies and the Abbey Theatre will also have a much more stringent reporting relationship with the Arts Council so we can ensure there is not undue double funding.