Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will provide details of the international competition under way to find a design for the new Abbey Theatre; when the competition will close; when he expects to be in a position to finalise design of the new theatre; the latest timetable for the construction of the new theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34811/06]

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the expected timescale for the provision of the new National Theatre at George's Dock; when will expressions of interest be invited for the architectural design of the building; if he will proceed with a PPP arrangement to provide the theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34705/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 59 together.

In July 2006, the Government approved arrangements for the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre at George's Dock on a Build, Finance, and Maintain (BFM) basis. It also approved the holding of an international design competition for the new Abbey Theatre. Once a winning design has been selected the building will be procured by means of a Build/Finance/Maintain (BFM) Public Private Partnership.

The OPW are currently working on the technical specifications for the design competition. A jury is being set up to select the winning design. The jury will have representatives from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the OPW, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, the Arts Council and the Abbey. It is hoped that a suitable design will be available by summer 2007. Once the design has been selected a competition will then be held to procure the contract for the PPP. A construction phase of approximately 18-24 months is envisaged once the PPP contract has been signed.