Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will report the progress made on the construction of the new national theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8856/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Progress is ongoing on the new national theatre project. The project is complex and there is a myriad of technical, procedural and legal factors to address. The successful delivery of the project is a priority for the Department and Government in the programme for Government and the national development plan.

An international design competition was one of the conditions of the offer of the site by the 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, has also been established and has met on 21 occasions. It is overseeing the executive and procedural arrangements for holding the international design competition and advancing the PPP process. A jury for the international design competition has also been appointed.

The Office of Public Works is also working on drafting output specifications in collaboration with the Department, the Abbey Theatre and the National Development Finance Agency. Technical, legal, insurance and financial advisers have been appointed to guide and advise the interagency teams in the procurement of this epochal and crucial project. A theatre consultant and acoustic consultant have also been appointed. Furthermore, a process auditor is in place in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines. Site investigative works have been also undertaken. When a winning design has been chosen, the National Development Finance Agency will oversee the PPP procurement process in accordance with PPP guidelines. I am confident that when the international design competition is complete, we will have a world class design for a new iconic landmark building for the city, and the new quayside theatre will be a dynamic structure reflecting Dublin's reputation as a global capital of theatre, culture and creativity.

The market is well aware that this project is on the way and the international competition for the design of the theatre should get under way formally in the very near future.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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In view of the shock to the Minister's system yesterday, I want to go easy on him today. The truth is that this design competition has been in gestation for years. It is not as if the Minister is designing the building as it is only the guidelines of a competition for somebody to design the building. It is incredible that it could possibly take this long.

How much has been spent so far on the various consultants? The Minister has provided lists of various consultants who have been appointed to prepare for the design competition. Is the intention to proceed with the new Abbey with all speed or has this been put on the long finger indefinitely? If it is intended to proceed, will it be in the way originally envisaged, in that it would be designed, financed and maintained by way of PPP? Is it realistic to expect that somebody will come in and build such a project in this uncertain climate? That question stands over all PPPs.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As it is a PPP, there is a great hunger for projects.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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What about the financing?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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It is possible because it is a guaranteed PPP scheme. On the gestation, the Deputy knows the history as well as I, with all the different locations, ideas etc.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am referring to the period since we knew of the location and the announcement of the decision.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The decision to proceed was taken in autumn 2006. There have been 21 meetings since and from the time I came to this Department, I have been aware of the complexities in terms of technical specifications, the arguments and substantial differing views of what the project should comprise. Much of that has been washed out and resolved through the system, and that is why we have moved to a position where we can clearly move forward. The final work is being done at the moment.

The OPW, with which the Deputy is familiar, is superb at PPPs and managing this type of project, working with the other agencies. It has done great work in this area. As far as I understand, everybody has signed off on the specifications, and the arguments and discussions on what, where, how, etc., have been resolved. As I indicated in my initial reply, we are now into a phase where we can move the project to the public domain.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I remind the Minister that the time before I last brought this up was before the summer and he told me the competition would be announced before summer 2008. It still has not happened. Will the Minister answer the question of what has been spent so far?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I have consulted my notes but I do not have that figure before me. I will try to get it for the Deputy.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have a problem with that.