Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

-----I want to highlight a particular issue there. Walking down O'Connell Street and on to Parnell Square, which we have rightly discussed many times over the past couple of weeks because of the tragedy that happened there, we cannot step away from the level of dereliction and decay that has been allowed to settle in to that part of town. One building stands out for me because it is the first closed building I see as I walk down O'Connell Street near the Parnell Monument, namely, the Ambassador Theatre. The Ambassador could be a jewel in the crown of the city centre and be part of the rejuvenation. The doors are closed almost 12 months a year. The city is crying out for cultural spaces where people can gather for music, song or whatever and it is simply unjust a building like the theatre, which was built in 1764 and is part of the city's cultural heritage, remains closed. I ask for the full support of the Taoiseach's office-----

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