Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 537: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will confirm that the design competition for the construction of the new Abbey Theatre has not commenced; the stage it is at; the reason a competition promised to be concluded by summer 2007 has not been announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23187/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 538: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will report on the work and achievements to date of the inter-agency group, consisting of representatives of his Department, the Office of Public Works, the National Development Finance Agency, the Abbey Theatre and Dublin Docklands Authority, set up in 2006 to oversee the construction of a new national theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23188/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 539: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when it is envisaged that the public private partnerships process to build a new national theatre will commence; when construction will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23189/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 537 to 539, inclusive, together.

In 2006, the Government decided to proceed with the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre by way of a public private partnership on a site at George's Dock, on a build, finance and maintain basis. This site was chosen following an extensive search exercise conducted by the Office of Public Works. Arising from the Government decision, an inter-agency steering committee was set up to oversee the project. The committee is chaired by the Department and comprises representatives of the National Development Finance Agency, the OPW, the Abbey Theatre and Dublin Docklands Development Authority. At its first meeting the steering group decided, inter alia, that the OPW should prepare the documentation necessary for holding an international design competition for the new Abbey Theatre. An international design competition was one of the conditions of the offer of the site by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.

A project team, chaired by the Office of Public Works and comprising representatives of the same agencies as the steering group, has been established and is overseeing the executive and procedural arrangements for holding the international design competition and advancing the public private partnership process. The OPW has asked the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland to organise the competition. The competition regulations are nearing finalisation. The technical documentation for the competition must be carefully specified, in particular the detailed accommodation brief for the new theatre. Work on this is nearing completion. A jury for the international design competition was appointed late last year. In the meantime, the OPW is working on drafting output specifications in collaboration with the Department, the Abbey Theatre and the National Development Finance Authority. Technical, legal, insurance and financial advisers have been appointed to guide and advise the inter-agency teams in the procurement of this epochal and crucial project. A theatre consultant and acoustic consultant have also been appointed. Furthermore, a process auditor is in place in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines.

The project is complex and there are a myriad of technical, procedural and legal factors to address in making progress on it. It is a priority for the Department and the Government in the Programme for Government and the National Development Plan. When a winning design has been chosen, the National Development Finance Agency will oversee the PPP procurement process in accordance with PPP guidelines. I am confident that when the international design competition is complete we will have a world class design for a new iconic landmark building for the city and the new quayside theatre will be a dynamic structure reflecting Dublin's growing reputation as a global capital of culture and creativity.