asked the Minister for Finance if he will give a progress report on the construction of the new concert hall at Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin and the approximate opening date.

13.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will commission a work to mark the opening of the Aula Maxima, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin as a concert hall.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.

Tenders have been received for the conversion of the Great Hall in the UCD premises at Earlsfort Terrace for use as a concert hall and I hope to be able to announce the placing of a contract in the very near future. The work will take approximately two-and-a-half years to complete.

I take it that the Deputy is referring to a work of music. I will have the question of commissioning such a work, to mark the opening of the concert hall, considered.

Does the Minister not think that the Deputy should be here for the planted question?

Could the Minister say when the tenders were received?

I do not have that information here but I know it was fairly recently.

Thank you.