Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I congratulate the Minister on taking over his new portfolio and wish him the best of luck.

The issue of providing a new national theatre has been going on for approximately ten years. As the Minister said, last July, the relocation of the national theatre to George's Dock was approved by the Government. The then Minister made a public statement in September that there would be an international design competition. On 26 October last year, the previous Minister said he hoped to have a design by the summer of 2007. We are now well into the summer, yet we still do not have a competition, not to mention a design. I hope there will be no further procrastination. There is a need for a new national theatre. The temporary arrangement, including the provision of new seating, is not good enough. Will the Minister give us a realistic timescale for the publication of the international design competition? How long will it take to process the various interests that respond? Realistically, when does the Minister think the first block will be laid for the new theatre?

See this speech in context