Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 569: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will explain the decision to install new seating in the Abbey Theatre at some expense when the Abbey itself will be moving premises in four years time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14191/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware the Government decided to proceed with the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre at George's Dock on a Build, Finance, and Maintain (BFM) basis. At the same time, the Government agreed to hold an international design competition for the new Abbey Theatre.

I am sure the Deputy would agree, given the significance of this project, that time and care is vital in planning it. The Government is committed to providing a National Theatre of world class and scale. Once the winning design has been selected the building will be procured on a BFM Public Private Partnership basis. It is expected that the planning and procurement arrangements will take a further 12 months to finalise and the building will take 18 months to complete.

Given the timescale involved in procuring a new National Theatre, the existing National Theatre is expected to remain in situ for some time yet. Much of the equipment at the Abbey has become obsolete and age-worn. The works carried out are essential from a customer service and a health and safety perspective and I am satisfied that the works are necessary. The Abbey Theatre Board is independent of me in decisions of this nature. I understand, in any event, that the seating installation is modular; it can be reassembled elsewhere, if necessary. Just because the Abbey is due to be relocated is not sufficient reason to allow our National Theatre to fall into disrepair. I note that the newly installed seating, which vastly improves the theatre experience for customers and practitioners alike has been roundly welcomed.