Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 4: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a decision has been made regarding the suitability of the site offered by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority for the relocation of the Abbey Theatre; if it is the only site being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20409/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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As I have previously informed the House on a number of occasions, I was authorised by Government to invite expressions of interest by way of public invitation from the private sector in participating, on the basis of a PPP, in the capital redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre in and-or around the vicinity of the site of the existing theatre. With successive proposals for redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre at its existing location, at the site of the former Carlton Cinema in O'Connell Street or on the former Coláiste Mhuire site in Parnell Square having to be ruled out for a variety of reasons, options for progressing the project were clearly narrowing.

Against this background, I authorised negotiations with the Dublin Docklands Development Authority in connection with its offer of a site for the theatre at George's Dock. The Office of Public Works engaged in detailed discussions with the DDDA over recent months to clarify issues around the availability of this site. These consultations have progressed to the point where I am in a position to say that a potentially suitable site at George's Dock capable of satisfying the accommodation brief for the Abbey Theatre is now on offer subject to clarification of some points of detail with the DDDA.

My Department has been in contact with the chair of the board of the Abbey Theatre to seek confirmation of the detail of the accommodation brief preparatory to a submission to Government requesting formal approval to proceed with the redevelopment project at George's Dock.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I welcome this significant and potentially historic announcement by the Minister. I hope it will not be a re-occurrence of the unfortunate announcement on Coláiste Mhuire. I recognise that this announcement is important. Like the Minister, I would have preferred if the Abbey Theatre could have been reconstructed on its current site or relocated to the Carlton site on O'Connell Street but that was not to be.

Nevertheless, I consider George's Dock a fitting location for the new Abbey Theatre. It will be a landmark building that will make a statement about our nation and how we have progressed to this stage. It is right in the centre of the most vibrant and exciting part of the city and the country. It will make its own statement as regards the success of the Financial Services Centre over the years. It is an ideal location approximately 300 m from O'Connell Street and around the corner from the current location of the Abbey Theatre. I compliment the DDDA and thank it for offering this building to the nation. Perhaps the Minister will clarify that the site has been offered more or less free of charge. It is a welcome announcement that will be positively greeted by the arts community. We can ensure we will have a theatre that will compare with any theatre in the world, that we will have new governance over it, and that the Abbey Theatre can have proper funding in future.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome Deputy Deenihan's comments. I hope we will be in a position to go to Government shortly to seek a final decision in this regard. I am grateful to the Office of Public Works and the Dublin Docklands Development Authority for their work. If the site is finally approved I would consider it an appropriate one for what is a great national cultural institution.

I have said on many occasions in the past that while this generation of Irish people is among the most creative and imaginative we have ever had, there is no public architecture which gives expression to that same imagination and creativity. This may well provide us with an opportunity to do that.