Dáil debates

Thursday, 15 November 2018

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions

National Orchestras

10:30 am

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress that has been made in respect of the transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to the National Concert Hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47504/18]

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Minister provide an overview of the progress made on the transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to the National Concert Hall?

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Following the publication of the report, RTÉ Orchestras: Ensuring a Sustainable Future, that the station commissioned from independent consultants Helen Boaden and Mediatique, the Government agreed in principle that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra should come within the remit of the National Concert Hall. The Government also authorised the initiation of discussions on the implementation of the recommendations in the report. The overall aim of the Government decision regarding the proposed transfer of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra is to enable it to be established as a world-class orchestra which would, with the National Concert Hall, provide a creative and imaginative programme strategy that would greatly enhance the offering of the combined organisation to the public. The process now offers a welcome opportunity to plan a way forward for both orchestras and ensures that they can fully contribute to Ireland's rich cultural heritage.

In addition, the Government's Creative Ireland programme commits to a range of important initiatives to support culture and creativity in Ireland. The Department's ten-year national development plan envisages major capital investment in our national cultural institutions, including a major redevelopment of the National Concert Hall. Since it opened its doors in 1981, the National Concert Hall has been the home of the National Symphony Orchestra. The latter provides the backbone to orchestral music programme of the National Concert Hall. There is now an opportunity for the National Symphony Orchestra to play an even stronger role as part of these wider developments and this should greatly enhance the offerings of both organisations to the public.

An oversight group has been established, with formal terms of reference, with a view to identifying and addressing the relevant issues to enable the successful transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra from the remit of RTÉ to that of the National Concert Hall. The group has already met twice. In addition, a working group, as a subset of the oversight group, has been tasked to exam the detailed issues involved in the proposed transfer of the orchestra. At this point, it is considered that 2020 would be the earliest date for the completion of the proposed transfer. My Department welcomes the opportunity to work with all stakeholders including the members of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra to ensure that it can contribute to Ireland's rich cultural heritage to the fullest extent possible.

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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That statement sounds positive. I am delighted that the oversight group has met on two occasions to see that transfer happens as seamlessly as possible. As the Minister correctly stated, the Boaden review carried out an in-depth analysis. The options facing the RTÉ orchestras ranged from outright closure to a merger to retention with full funding restored. The review concluded neither of the two orchestras should be closed. That was the most important and positive outcome of this report. The report instead suggested that both orchestras should be brought back to full strength. The authors of the review consulted widely and it became clear to them that there was widespread support for the retention of both orchestras in the orchestra sector, in all political sectors and within Government. They recommended that the National Symphony Orchestra be either established as a cultural institution in its own right or move and become part of the National Concert Hall. Flexibility will be required from orchestra members but the recommended approach provides a sustainable means of restoring the orchestra to its former strength on the basis of a new and creative vision. I am sure the oversight group will be heavily involved in this process.

In July, as the Minister stated, the Cabinet considered the review and its recommendations. The Government has decided that the National Symphony Orchestra is to come within the remit of the National Concert Hall. Will the Minister give us some more insight as to where those negotiations are at and assurances that the orchestras' provision will be protected and maintained in the interim?

10:35 am

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I note the Deputy's points on the outcomes and the recommendations of the Boaden report. These have been taken into account in the terms of reference of the steering group, which will identify the relevant issues to enable the successful transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra from the remit of RTÉ to that of the National Concert Hall, including a timeline for implementation, funding arrangements, including any interim arrangements prior to the full transfer, and any legislative changes to broadcasting Acts or the national cultural institutions.

On the issue of progress, the terms of reference of both the oversight and working groups have been agreed. It was agreed that an independent expert adviser with relevant orchestral and concert hall experience should be identified as a means of providing independent expertise to the working group. It was agreed that there was a necessity to maintain and communicate at all times the shared vision of the project, ensuring the provision in Ireland of world-class symphonic music.

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra to the National Concert Hall brings into the spotlight the redevelopment, and the possible extension, of the National Concert Hall. We need to focus on this and we cannot lose sight of it.

The Boaden report recommends that funding for both orchestras be brought back to full strength. I appreciate that this cannot be done overnight but we need to be supportive of this view for the sake of our orchestral sector. I hope that the Minister will bear this in mind as we approach 2020.

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy mentioned the National Concert Hall. There will be world-class facilities under the redevelopment, with a newly refurbished and extended main auditorium, an increased capacity of 1,350 seats and improved musicians' facilities. There will be a reorganisation of public facilities such as a newly designed and enlarged main foyer with new access to the historic marble stairs, and a relocation of the restaurant, a new winter garden cafe, new guest facilities, new reception and booking offices, new lift access and upgraded mechanical and electrical services. There will be a refurbishment and restoration of the historic, and currently redundant, 1865 block which is adjacent to the main auditorium for musicians' facilities and there will be an extension of the John Field room. The refurbishment of the former medical library is also being looked at to serve as a RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra rehearsal studio.