Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

Progress is ongoing on the new national theatre project. The project is complex and there is a myriad of technical, procedural and legal factors to address. The successful delivery of the project is a priority for the Department and Government in the programme for Government and the national development plan.

An international design competition was one of the conditions of the offer of the site by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority. A project team, chaired by the Office of Public Works and comprising representatives of the same agencies as the steering group, has also been established and has met on 21 occasions. It is overseeing the executive and procedural arrangements for holding the international design competition and advancing the PPP process. A jury for the international design competition has also been appointed.

The Office of Public Works is also working on drafting output specifications in collaboration with the Department, the Abbey Theatre and the National Development Finance Agency. Technical, legal, insurance and financial advisers have been appointed to guide and advise the interagency teams in the procurement of this epochal and crucial project. A theatre consultant and acoustic consultant have also been appointed. Furthermore, a process auditor is in place in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines. Site investigative works have been also undertaken. When a winning design has been chosen, the National Development Finance Agency will oversee the PPP procurement process in accordance with PPP guidelines. I am confident that when the international design competition is complete, we will have a world class design for a new iconic landmark building for the city, and the new quayside theatre will be a dynamic structure reflecting Dublin's reputation as a global capital of theatre, culture and creativity.

The market is well aware that this project is on the way and the international competition for the design of the theatre should get under way formally in the very near future.

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