Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, and wish him well in his new brief. I sat beside him for a few years and it is nice to see him back in the House in his position to debate this subject.

I grew up with the Abbey Theatre in so far as when it was adjacent to Leinster House where my father was, I, as a child, used be brought there. He loved the theatre, and as a young child I found myself many times being at the theatre with him. Therefore, I have very fond memories of the old Abbey Theatre.

I am delighted to make a contribution to the debate on how we best bring it forward and relocate it. I was disappointed when I realised it was going to George's Dock. I had looked at the other options too and thought ideally it would have been great if it had been left where it was if that was possible because of the access to O'Connell Street. I thought the Carlton cinema area of O'Connell Street would have been an ideal location as well. I go regularly to the Gate and it would have been nice if they had been able to complement one another. Parnell Square was also an option. Having studied the Minister of State's speech, I realise that this site is the only one that they can fast-track and get on with, and that is what we must look at.

It must be a significant landmark, not alone for our city but for the country as a whole. I am glad an international competition was held to ensure the best specifications, design and acoustics. I visit the Abbey and I am aware the space is inadequate. The foyer is crowded and usually at the beginning of a night one cannot move. It is important for the national theatre that we would take all those aspects into account.

I listened to some of the other speakers. It is so important that we encourage young talent and reflect society in Ireland. Education should play a part in stimulating interest in young artists and how best we can bring it all together. We have a country of young playwrights and people who are interested in theatre and who have the personality to reflect society. The Abbey should reflect that kind of thinking.

No doubt the docklands site is the one we must go with, but the transport infrastructure must be put in place. I do not like it down there. It must improve considerably. As it stands, I would have to take a taxi.