Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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8. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for an update on his Department’s engagement with Galway City Council regarding the next steps for the Pálás cinema in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52575/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Pálás Arthouse Cinema Galway was operated by Element Pictures for seven years under a lease from Galway City Council. The cinema closed on 28 February 2025.

The cinema operator offered to surrender the remainder of the lease to Galway City Council leaving all relevant moveable assets in place to allow any new operator to have the benefit of existing equipment. In April, GCC accepted the voluntary surrender. The Minister had a charge on the property along with other stakeholders the Western Development Commission and Screen Ireland. As Minister, I consented to the surrender of the lease to the City Council as did the other stakeholders, allowing the property revert to the Council. As a result, Galway City Council can seek an alternative operator for the building.

Galway City Council took surrender of the lease of the Pálás on 3 April 2025 and is the lead Public Body with responsibility for this facility. On 29 May 2025, the Council called for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the future management of the facility. This process has followed a structured two-phase approach:

Under phase one, required interested parties provided an overview of their vision for the future operation of the property, supported by a robust business case. Submissions were assessed against qualitative and financial criteria and those who met the requirements were invited to proceed to Phase Two.

The second phase involved the submission of a comprehensive business plan detailing each party’s proposal for site usage and the associated operational model.

The submissions received under phase two are currently being assessed by Galway City Council to determine the preferred bidder. I have been advised that the process is now nearing conclusion and Galway City Council anticipate confirming the outcome shortly.