Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 4: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress regarding the development of a new theatre building for the Abbey Theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28422/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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After proposals for redevelopment of the Abbey at its existing location or at the site of the former Carlton Cinema in O'Connell Street or on the former Coláiste Mhuire site in Parnell Square were ruled out for a variety of reasons, 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 the availability and suitability 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, is now on offer.

In July 2005, the Government authorised investigative surveys to be carried out at the site to inform further decisions on the development of the theatre there. The Office of Public Works has arranged detailed examination of the site, including archaeological, geotechnical and structural surveys. These studies are scheduled for completion shortly and at that point I will take the project to the next phase.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister confirm if the site is available to the State free of charge? When does the Minister expect to present a memorandum on the project to the Government? According to a recent media report, the Minister intends to do so shortly. Will the process involve an international architectural competition? I anticipate problems arising with a public private partnership approach to the national conference centre. The Minister accepts that too. It is a complex procedure. Does the Minister envisage a public private partnership being utilised to build the Abbey Theatre?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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It is my intention to bring a proposal to the Government shortly. I can confirm that the only site under consideration at present is the George's Dock site. I expect the full report from the OPW shortly, probably in a matter of weeks. At that point the proposal will be brought to Government. I expect that the construction of a new national theatre would result in an international competition.

Whether it will be a public private partnership is a matter to be decided by the Government. There are arguments for and against. Some argue that if it were a public private partnership and if other commercial considerations were involved, it might be a success. Others argue that if it is to be a stand-alone project, it could not possibly succeed as a public private partnership. In any event, the Government must come to a decision about the site and I expect it to consider that within a short period. I will not waste a moment when I have the report from the Office of Public Works. I understand that the site is available free of charge.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I congratulate the Minister on appointing Judge Bryan McMahon to chair the Abbey Theatre. It is a great honour for Listowel and Kerry. Will the Minister confirm if a price has been put on the existing Abbey Theatre building? The Minister cannot say definitively what the new building will cost but there have been suggestions that it will be €150 million. Can the Minister confirm if it is envisaged that the new building will cost that amount? It appears exorbitant.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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No valuation has been sought for the existing national theatre. It is not, at present, envisaged that it would be put up for sale. I do not know what will happen in the context of the construction of a new theatre. The preliminary estimated cost of a new Abbey Theatre is between €170 million and €180 million.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister indicate when work might start and its duration? When can Dublin and Ireland expect to have a new theatre that will meet with international standards and, as the Minister has said, would be a flagship for artistic merit in this country?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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If the Government were to agree to the George's Dock proposal, it having been cleared by the Office of Public Works as a suitable site, the next step would be to hold a competition, after which the planning permission issue would arise. I envisage that if all were to go according to plan and if approval were forthcoming, construction would commence during 2008.