Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

Decentralisation was allegedly about the spatial strategy but we now find it is more to do with the next general election.

Will the Leader arrange for a debate on the Abbey Theatre, which I have requested in recent months? The Abbey Theatre is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and there have been discussions about a possible new location for it. If the Abbey Theatre is to move, it should be no more than a half mile radius from where it is now, possibly to the new Carlton site, as a way of giving real impetus to the theatre region and uplifting O'Connell Street and the north inner city. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to make a statement at the earliest opportunity in the House outlining the Government's view on this issue? The Abbey Theatre is a very important national institution which has made a huge contribution to our cultural life. We want to keep it on the north side of the Liffey and as close as possible to its original location on Abbey Street.