Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

On the arts, we debated the position of private theatres and galleries yesterday and I acknowledge that private bodies cannot be forced to comply with the legislation. One hopes that moral sentiment will make them comply. However, the Abbey Theatre, which is our national theatre, is an exception. It is funded extensively by the State every year and there should be an onus on the theatre's management to comply with the legislation, given that the theatre is scheduled to move to a new building. I am aware of the building regulations referred to by the Minister of State but, at the same time, an onus should be placed on the Abbey because it is the national theatre.