An announcement on the new third-level institution for the performing arts is likely to be made within a month, according to a spokesman for the Department of Education. The Department is currently considering the matter along with the Departments of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and of the Taoiseach.
But there is considerable disquiet about the proposals, particularly in Limerick. Professor Micheal O Suilleabhain of the Chair of Music at the University of Limerick has called for "wider consultations" to take place before any final decision is taken on the nature and location of the institution.
He criticises what he calls "a lack of transparency, discussion and openness" concerning the proposals.
Due to a "lack of consultation" he is concerned that a "major opportunity" could be lost.
He added that "exciting and dynamic developments in the field of performing arts" outside Dublin were not being sufficiently recognised.
He said that his suggestions for an institution with an "inclusive, all-Ireland presence" had received no written response from an interdepartmental committee on the matter set up last year on foot of a suggestion by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.
Prof O Suilleabhain's comments were echoed by Mr John Kelly, chief executive of the Limerick-based Irish Chamber Orchestra.
The ICO's board of directors had decided to write to the Government expressing disquiet over the "lack of consultation" with relevant groups, especially those based in the regions, said Mr Kelly.
"There is a huge synergy and an energy in the performing arts in Limerick that is in danger of being undermined if it is not properly recognised," said Prof O Suilleabhain.
"The situation here is unique."
Existing postgraduate programmes at the University of Limerick's Irish World Music Centre were at the "cutting edge" of music performance education both in Ireland and abroad.
Involvement by leading figures in world classical music in the setting up and teaching of innovative MA programmes such as classical string performance and chant performance meant the university was garnering an international reputation for excellence, he said.
Inquiries and applications for next year's MA programmes come from countries as diverse as Italy, Indonesia, Japan, the United States, Germany and Switzerland, he added.
"In the five years since the Irish World Music Centre was set up, more than £2 million, half of which was privately raised, has been channelled into music performance education. Another £2 million will have been channelled into Limerick through the Irish Chamber Orchestra by the end of this year."
A spokesman for the Department of Education said: "Prof O Suilleabhain's suggestions will certainly be considered. We do admire the work being done by the Irish World Music Centre and would not wish to do anything to undermine its work.
"All options are being looked at. We are looking at everything we have been presented with, including a proposal from Dublin City University."
Supporting the call by Prof O Suilleabhain, Mr Kelly said that the orchestra's "immensely positive" experience since it moved from Dublin to Limerick more than four years ago showed that decentralisation of the performance arts was a good thing for the country.
"There are tremendously exciting developments in Limerick. The reality is that in 1999 what is relevant is the quality of people and programmes and potential, not the location.
"World-class programmes, backed by world-class figures, have been built up in Limerick - that is what should count and should not be overlooked."
Ms Mary Noonan, artistic director of the Limerick-based professional dance company Daghdha, said that a 1998 report commissioned by the Arts Council recognised that much valuable groundwork in the field of dance education had been done in Limerick and that this should be recognised.
Leading international music figures associated with the classical string and other programmes at the university have written to the university to endorse developments there.
Dr Hugh Maguire, one of Ireland's foremost classical musicians this century, now the Director of String Studies at the Britten-Pears school in the UK, commented that the bringing together of the traditional music of Ireland and European classical music at UL was "something new and wildly exciting.
"The outstanding roll of tutors and musicians at the top of their profession is creating an atmosphere and interest that is new in western Europe."
Italian conductor Bruno Giuranna said the "unique and ground-breaking" classical string MA in Limerick would have a major impact on string-playing, not just in Ireland but globally.
Mr Lawrence Hurst, chair of the string department at Indiana University, praised the University of Limerick's "wonderful vision".