Spike Island

Cork Fine Gael TD Deirdre Clune has welcomed the decision to hand Spike Island over to Cork County Council for development as a tourist attraction, but said it was regrettable that the Government had waited five years to take action.

This is a very positive announcement which will provide a significant tourist attraction for the Cork area. I would like to commend Cork County Council for having the foresight to see the potential of Spike Island as a tourist attraction.

Spike Island Prison closed in 2004, but we have had to endure a needless wait of five years for this decision.

The island is a historical gem in the middle of Cork Harbour, which has huge potential. As well as the prison facilities, it features a fort which played a major role in the Nation’s history and also has a significant connection with the Famine.

As a member of the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee I questioned senior members of the Department of Justice on the issue of Spike Island’s future when they came before the Committee in March.

Brian Purcell, Director General of the Irish Prison Service, confirmed there were no future plans to use Spike Island as a prison location. He expressed a belief that the site’s historical significance could be developed as a tourist amenity, but said no action would be taken pending a Government decision.

It is hard to understand why the future development of Spike Island was stalled for five years by the Fianna Fáil Government’s indecision. However, over the next five years I expect to see Spike Island developed as a major regional tourist attraction befitting its historical importance.