Private partners proposed for Abbey

ARTS Minister John O'Donoghue is to seek Government approval for a public-private partnership scheme to help fund the re-building of the Abbey Theatre.

Mr O'Donoghue said a new national theatre, probably on the centre-city site of the current one, is a major priority for his term as minister responsible for the arts.

The Minister said the current government financial situation makes the need to involve private investment all the more crucial.