Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The late Deputy, Mr. Jim Mitchell, opposed the construction of a prison that he subsequently opened as the Minister for Justice.

Outline plans for the island prison facilities are being developed at present and these will be finalised later this year. The Minister is not at this stage in a position to give an estimate of the amount of land required for the prison development or the costs of the project, as this will be the subject of a public competition.

The Minister does not propose to change his plans for a new prison development including a bridge at Spike Island. He does, however, note the concerns raised regarding the history and heritage aspects which arise in the context of this development. He wishes to reassure the Deputy that the implications, if any, on the heritage, archaeology or related aspects of the proposed developments will be addressed in detail in the course of the planning process, which will be undertaken in due course. At that stage, all the relevant material including properly balanced assessments of the various issues, including archaeology, will be made available as part of the public consultation process which it is hoped should commence later this year.

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