David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of times the inter-Departmental group established to consider the plans for the future of Spike Island has met; the dates of these meetings; when it is next intended to meet; when he expects to receive a report from the group; the members of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9024/08]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Following the decision to establish an Inter-Departmental Group to examine options for the future development of Spike Island as a tourism project, my Department sought nominations from: the Department of Defence, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Department of Finance, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Office of Public Works, the Irish Prison Service, Fáilte Ireland, and Cork County Council.

The Group met for the first time on 21 September 2007. Following that meeting, it was agreed that the various bodies represented on the Group would provide a synopsis of their interest, involvement or role in relation to Spike Island, their potential role in developing, supporting or operating the Island as a tourism project, and what form, if any, they consider that project might take.

My Department subsequently prepared and circulated a comprehensive questionnaire to the relevant Departments and bodies to elicit this information and the Department is currently examining the replies received. These contributions will form the basis of a report which the Group will then consider for agreement; a further meeting will be held if necessary. It is expected that this process will be completed in the near future.

Any recommendations or conclusions in a report of the Group in relation to possible future developments on the site will be for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to consider in the first instance.