David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he or the prison service considered in detail any other site other than Spike Island for the new prison to replace Cork Prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35159/06]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on building a prison on Spike Island which requires a bridge and road network to be put in place before substantial building work can commence which may delay the provision of a replacement prison for the overcrowded and outdated Cork Prison compared to a possible alternative site that would have the necessary infrastructure directly adjacent to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35160/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.

The Irish Prison Service is at present engaged on preliminary works and surveys on Spike Island which are intended to inform on the technical and planning aspects of the project prior to proceeding with the construction of the bridge. When these are complete I will be in a position to provide more detailed information on the likely timescale and logistics of the proposed development.

There are only two sites currently available to the Irish Prison Service in the Cork region for prison development. The existing site in Cork city has been considered in detail and is not deemed to be suitable. The prison facility on Spike Island offers obvious advantages from a security perspective and is immediately available for development. No other sites in the Cork region have been offered for prison development.