Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 108 together.

The development of a new national theatre project is a complex undertaking, with a myriad of technical, procedural and legal factors to address in making progress on it. The successful delivery of this project is a priority for my Department and the Government in the renewed programme for Government and the national development plan.

Arising from the original Government decision to relocate the Abbey Theatre to a site provided by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority at George's Dock, an inter-agency steering committee was set up to oversee the project. The committee is chaired by my Department and comprises representatives of the National Development Finance Agency, Office of Public Works, Abbey Theatre and 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, was also established and met on more than 20 occasions. A considerable amount of technical, legal and financial due diligence was undertaken to ensure this project was progressed and that the best solution possible was put in place.

To date, €219,590.32 has been expended on design, engineering, architectural, financial and legal fees. Significant progress had been made in finalising the accommodation brief, international design documentation, financial stress testing, technical and engineering feasibility and layout, the majority of which are project as distinct from site specific, in the event of decisions being taken by Government to procure the new Abbey Theatre on an alternative site. In that regard, the Office of Public Works, in conjunction with my Department and the Abbey Theatre and with relevant external technical input, has commenced an assessment of the GPO complex to ascertain its feasibility as a location for the redeveloped national theatre. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and An Post will also be engaged in this process. There are many technical issues involved in such an assessment and a full report will be brought to Government in due course.

See this speech in context