John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

The next stage is to examine options for procuring the theatre as a PPP including the incorporation of a separate international design competition. I will report back to Government on this aspect by the end of February 2006. I am pleased the capital envelope announced yesterday will enable me to proceed with the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall as a PPP. That provision is being made next year to enable the process of acquiring the site for a new state-of-the-art concert hall to get under way. The provision of a signature premises on a par with those in capital cities across Europe will enable the National Concert Hall to meet the current and expanding market demand for musical entertainment and cultural events. I have noted that the National Concert Hall, within its limited space at Earlsfort Terrace, is highly energetic and operates with a strong market focus. Seat occupancy consistently exceeds 80% with patrons being turned away from many house full events. The new facility incorporating a 2,000 seat auditorium will enable the National Concert Hall to meet public demand much more effectively, including the staging of key performances by top class world artists at reasonable ticket prices.

I am also delighted that the Theatre Royal in Wexford will be refurbished and remodelled. The Theatre Royal is the venue for the world famous Wexford opera festival. For 50 years the festival has been a key event in the cultural life of Ireland and has won extensive international acclaim. The existing Theatre Royal has been at the centre of the festival's success but needs substantial upgrading to meet the festival's future needs. It is a worthwhile development of immense importance to the cultural life of Ireland and of particular significance to Wexford and its hinterland.

My one regret in confirming the redevelopment of the Theatre Royal is that Mr. Jerome Hynes, the former chief executive of the Wexford festival opera, cannot be with us to share the good news. Jerome should take much of the credit for this decision. He drove the project forward with his far-sighted planning, unlimited energy and focus and extraordinary persistence. His work has finally borne fruit and he will long be missed by us all.

The Gaiety Theatre is one of the few facilities in Dublin capable of staging large-scale opera productions. This refurbishment will enable the Gaiety to fulfil this key role into the future. This suite of investments represents an extremely important initiative by the Government in that it addresses key infrastructural deficiencies in our national cultural infrastructure which will make the arts more accessible to all our people. It will also enhance the quality of our cultural tourism offering to our overseas visitors.

I am delighted that the artists' tax exemption is being retained for qualified income up to €250,000. The level at which the exemption mechanism is pitched will continue to encourage artistic activity. There will be no flights of either activity or income. Furthermore, it will encourage other taxable activity by artists in this country as the effective rate of tax on those with high incomes in Ireland compares favourably internationally.

Under this Government considerable progress has been made to bring Ireland's sporting infrastructure into line with best international standards. In the area of major capital development we continue to provide important investment funding in partnership with sports governing bodies in large capital projects. During recent years the Exchequer has provided €110 million to the GAA as an input 3, the spending development that has been undertaken at Croke Park. More recently, grant aid of €191 million has been committed by the Exchequer towards the development of a stadium of Lansdowne Road in partnership with the IRFU and the FAI. A sum of €20 million will be provided in the Vote of my Department for this project in 2006. This project is progressing according to its challenging schedule and will be delivered over the next four years. I am pleased to say that the planning application is almost completed and should be ready for lodgment at the end of this month.

I am happy to confirm the commencement of the Abbotstown sports campus. In this budget the Government has agreed to provide funding of €9.5 million in 2006 to enable work to start on phase 1 of the project which has been costed at €119 million and will be delivered over a four to five year timeframe.

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