Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 13: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to advance the capital development plans for the National Gallery of Ireland, the National Concert Hall, the Abbey Theatre, the National Museum at Collins Barracks and other major cultural centres. [21810/11]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 18: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will continue to work with the Abbey Theatre to find a solution to the theatre's need for a new premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21807/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 18 together.

As the Deputies may be aware, major building works are underway at the National Gallery of Ireland. The works are necessary to address the deterioration in the fabric of the historic Dargan and Milltown Wings of the Gallery, which are respectively 150 and 100 plus years old, and to upgrade plant and services to deliver a secure and stable environment for its priceless collections.

Regarding the public private partnership project for the National Concert Hall, it was decided in late 2010 not to proceed with the project as originally envisaged, given the current economic situation. A range of rehabilitation and refurbishment issues still remain, however, and will be examined in light of available resources.

Turning to the Abbey Theatre, following consideration of the matter by the Government, it has been decided not to proceed with the re-location of the Abbey Theatre to the GPO complex. I will, however, endeavour to ensure that the Abbey Theatre's accommodation in its current location is maintained to a suitable standard. The intervention made a number of years ago in the Abbey auditorium was an excellent one and ongoing investment there has addressed front-of-house, box-office, staging and mechanical issues.

With regard to the National Museum, the Asgard will be placed on display at the Collins Barracks and minor capital works to allow for public access to it will commence shortly.

Regarding the Irish Museum of Modern Art, capital works to address essential upgrades to the fire and electrical systems amongst other things will have to be carried out at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in the near future and this will necessitate the temporary closure of parts of the Museum.

I am conscious that the severe economic downturn has had an impact on some of the capital development plans of the national cultural institutions. The institutions, while forming an intrinsic part of our heritage, also remain an important part of our cultural tourism offering and I will continue to support them to the greatest extent possible, within the available resources.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 14: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the potential acquisition by the State of the Bank of Ireland building at College Green, Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21795/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will know from my responses to previous Questions on this matter, I have met the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Bank of Ireland Group in relation to the College Green Dublin building. Those contacts are continuing.