John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

The OPW is working on a detailed technical specification for the competition in regard to the Abbey Theatre. Obviously, all of this documentation will be made available to interested parties when finalised and the competition has been formally published. It is not possible for me to say at this point when exactly the new designer will be selected. I had hoped that we would be in a position to present the new design this summer. I remain hopeful that will be the case. We will then be required to move on to the PPP stage following which all relevant financial proposals will have to be examined. Only then can the contract for construction of the theatre be placed. As I stated earlier, it is envisaged that once that process is finalised, construction should be completed within approximately 18 months. That is as accurate as I can be on this.

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