National Cultural Institutions

Wednesday, 17 December 2025

Questions (265)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

265. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if an organ was purchased by the National Concert Hall and the cost; when the organ is expected to be installed given the delays in the planned renovation of the National Concert Hall; the expected cost of storage for the organ until that date; the reason the organ was purchased before the designs for the renovations are finalised; if such redesign could render the organ unsuitable; and the future plan for the existing organ. [72850/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport

The redevelopment of the National Concert Hall (NCH) is one of the projects within my Department's NDP portfolio. The vision for the project is to create an inspiring music organisation, featuring a main auditorium which will be home to the National Symphony Orchestra. To meet this objective, the redeveloped auditorium will also feature a concert organ, built specifically for the new space.

I can confirm that, while earlier this year the NCH conducted a tender process for appointment of an organ builder, no organ has been purchased at this stage and the purpose of the ongoing process is to align the organ design with the progressing design for the building. Further work on the organ will be progressed with line with the development of the Concert Hall. In regard to the existing organ, options are being considered in regard to its future use post the redevelopment of the NCH.