Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress on the acquisition of space to extend the National Concert Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34634/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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When the relocation of UCD from Earlsfort Terrace to Belfield began in the 1950s, the expectation was that the site and premises at Earlsfort Terrace would transfer to the State as progress with the development of Belfield enabled Earlsfort Terrace to be vacated. Against this background, Government decisions in 1974 and 1981 to convert a portion of the building for use as a National Concert Hall were widely perceived as being the first step in the phased development of a performance complex at Earlsfort Terrace.

The opening of the NCH addressed a long perceived gap in the cultural infrastructure of the city for a venue suitable for classical music performance. Its location in an historic building with an imposing façade, well known to Dubliners and to generations of graduates countrywide, also contributed to its appeal. However, it was evident from the outset that the space allocated was cramped and inadequate, especially from the perspective of stage dimensions and backstage accommodation.

Notwithstanding these limitations, the NCH is highly regarded internationally by performers. It has broadened its cultural remit and now embraces traditional and popular music alike, serving the needs of patrons across all strata of society. That said, the seating layout and quality of the NCH is basic. Increasingly stringent health and safety and other legal requirements, including requirements coming on stream in respect of open access for disabled persons, are also proving to be problematic. These shortcomings cannot adequately be addressed within existing space constraints.

As the arrangements being made by the UCD authorities to relocate all remaining Departments and personnel from Earlsfort Terrace to Belfield are at an advanced stage, the university has signalled its preference to have the Earlsfort Terrace site placed at the disposal of the State subject to satisfactory terms being agreed. In turn, my preferred option is to utilise this site for the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall. Officials in my Department and the Office of Public Works have met several times with the university authorities to advance negotiations for the acquisition of the site. However, I will not be in a position to bring these negotiations to finality until I have secured Government approval for my plans for the redevelopment of the concert hall, which are currently before the Cabinet.

In the meantime and in anticipation of the availability of the Earlsfort Terrace site to the State in the near future, the OPW commissioned a feasibility study on how best to adapt the site and buildings to accommodate a state-of-the-art concert hall. An imaginative outline proposal to reconfigure the existing building to create a three hall performance space has emerged from this study. The key elements of the proposal are a new concert hall incorporating a main auditorium with a seating capacity for 2,000 patrons and meeting the requirement for open disabled access, the existing auditorium to be preserved for use as a rehearsal, general purpose and technical recording-broadcast space and a flexible smaller hall with a seating capacity of 500, enabling smaller concerts to proceed simultaneously with performances in the main concert hall.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister's response. Does he agree it is critical that the State moves as soon as possible to acquire the facilities from UCD? I understand the UCD authorities are very anxious to move the medical and engineering faculties to Belfield as soon as possible and they await direction from the State. I remind the Minister that if the State had acquired some of the property beside the Abbey Theatre, there would not now be a need to move the theatre to another site. The Minister has the support of all Members of the House for the acquisition of the extra space to ensure that the National Concert Hall can accommodate existing demand.

The Minister will be aware the concert hall is often overbooked for performances. Certain international performers would come to Dublin if the concert hall had suitable space. The backstage facilities in particular are inadequate. This is an urgent matter. UCD is anxious to move out and is prepared to facilitate the State in this respect because of the national significance of the proposal. I appeal to the Minister and the Government not to procrastinate and to bring this opportunity to fruition as soon as possible.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with everything Deputy Deenihan has said. While an excellent case can be made for the redevelopment of the hall, the Government must have regard to priorities when it comes to sanctioning substantive spending. In that context we are making the best possible case on behalf of the concert hall.

There are two costs involved: the cost of the site and the cost of the redevelopment of the building. These costs will both require Exchequer funding. Site cost valuation by UCD is in excess of €42 million and the building costs are estimated at €135 million with the total cost estimated at approximately €177 million.

The construction of a new auditorium with a capacity for up to 2,000 patrons, together with a smaller, flexible configuration of a recital auditorium with a capacity for up to 400 patrons, is proposed. It is envisaged events could take place simultaneously in both. The existing auditorium would be refurbished to be used by the National Symphony Orchestra for rehearsals and performances. Its current capacity of 1,200 seats would reduce to approximately 900 seats. However, it is not possible to confirm whether a three hall configuration would be adopted in the final analysis. It would be a matter of closely examining the financial costs and yield associated with such a proposal.

The proposed project is still at the feasibility stage and no architectural drawings have been made to date. It is important and interesting to note that the Office of Public Works is of the view that the project is not really suitable for a public private partnership arrangement.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I will allow a brief question from Deputy Deenihan.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Is it premature for the Minister to indicate the cost involved in acquiring the buildings?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I will allow a brief question from Deputy Wall.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Will the development work at the National Concert Hall affect the use of the hall?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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This will depend upon the planners and architects and how they intend to proceed with the project. It would be possible to proceed in stages. Every effort will be made to ensure the concert hall can be used. In answer to Deputy Deenihan, the cost of the site is estimated by UCD to be in excess of €42 million.