John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

After proposals for redevelopment of the Abbey at its existing location or at the site of the former Carlton Cinema in O'Connell Street or on the former Coláiste Mhuire site in Parnell Square were ruled out for a variety of reasons, I authorised negotiations with the Dublin Docklands Development Authority in connection with its offer of a site for the theatre at George's Dock. The Office of Public Works engaged in detailed discussions with the DDDA over recent months to clarify the availability and suitability of this site. These consultations have progressed to the point where I am in a position to say that a potentially suitable site at George's Dock, capable of satisfying the accommodation brief for the Abbey, is now on offer.

In July 2005, the Government authorised investigative surveys to be carried out at the site to inform further decisions on the development of the theatre there. The Office of Public Works has arranged detailed examination of the site, including archaeological, geotechnical and structural surveys. These studies are scheduled for completion shortly and at that point I will take the project to the next phase.

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