Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on proposals for reform of structures of the Abbey Theatre; his further views on the latest efforts being made to address the financial and managerial crisis at the Abbey; if State funding for the Abbey is dependent on the implementation of these reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28323/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Although there have been difficulties at the Abbey Theatre in recent times, the changes being implemented will lead to a more streamlined organisation. That organisation should be better equipped to address the challenges that undeniably lie ahead and to restore the Abbey to its rightful place at the centre of Ireland's theatrical and cultural life.

The new governance structure will include a board of 11 members, the mechanisms for the appointment of which are designed to ensure the skills needed to run a modern theatre are included. The new board structure is complemented by a far-reaching change management process.

I have already named the chairperson of the new Abbey Theatre and the two other members which it is my responsibility to nominate. They are Judge Bryan McMahon, as chair, Suzanne Kelly and Tom Hickey, as board director. Together these nominees bring a mix of governance, legal, accounting, business and artistic skills to the new board. A selection committee consisting of Judge McMahon, Ms Olive Braiden, chair of the Arts Council and Mr. John Farleigh, a member of the outgoing Abbey Advisory Council, has been put in place to recommend the remaining eight members of the board. The work of the committee should be completed before Christmas.

State funding for the Abbey is provided by the Arts Council, and the conditions attached to the council's financial inputs are a matter for discussion between the Abbey and the council. Ongoing support by the council is correctly conditional on implementation and completion of the change management process at the Abbey Theatre.