At the launch of the 150th anniversary year of the Royal Academy of Music on Tuesday night, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, expressed his support for the establishment of "a focus for third-level education and training" in classical music. "There has been much discussion of the desirability of a Centre For The Performing Arts or a Conservatoire on the Earlsfort Terrace site," he said. "It would be a great step forward if talented performing musicians could undertake much of their training and education here, in our capital city.

"Both I and the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Sile de Valera, are very sympathetic to the project, which would require a great deal of detailed discussion to confirm its scope and potential. I will ask the relevant Departments to establish a committee to study its feasibility, as well as the implications for UCD . . . it could be a solid and worthwhile project for the Millennium, which would leave lasting benefits."