asked the Minister for Defence if he has considered the outline development plan for the Naval Service on Spike Island and the consultants' report on the linking of Spike Island to Haulbowline; if he will give full details of the report; if he agrees with it and if he intends to proceed with it; and, if so, if he will give an undertaking to proceed with costings and a timetable for implementation.

The report of the consultants proposed a bridge which would have 14 spans and would maintain a minimum clearance of seven metres over the deepest part of the channel between Haulbowline and Spike Island. Certain site investigations are now being carried out, on land and under the sea-bed by a specialist firm to determine the type of foundations which would be required for such a bridge. When the investigations have been completed the matter will be considered further. In the meantime, works to meet the immediate needs of the Naval Service on Spike Island are being carried out.

Would the Minister give details of the report? Does he agree with the report and could he give some indication as to when work will begin?

I agree with the report. There was no room for expansion in Haulbowline and the situation was regarded as critical. We have six ships in operation and one more under construction. The authorities considered the use of Spike Island and came to the conclusion that a bridge should be built to link Spike Island with Haulbowline and that this would be the best solution to the problem. The matter was examined, borings are now going on to determine conditions and the construction of the bridge would take about 33 months. In September last, authorisation was given to a firm to carry out site investigations. That is being done, they are expected to be completed shortly and, the next phase of the development can then be carried out.

What funds are provided in this year's Estimates for carrying out the work mentioned?

As far as I am aware there are no funds in the Estimates for 1982 for building the bridge. There is a possibility that, because of the infrastructural facilities that are also being used for fishery protection purposes, some of the expenditure may be recouped from the EEC and that angle is being pursued.

Can I take it from the Minister's reply that no funds have been provided in the 1982 Estimates and that it will take 33 months to build the bridge? Will the 33 months begin from the introduction of the 1983 Estimates?

I presume that is the normal conclusion one could draw from that.

Are we talking about something that is in the far distant future? Has the Minister any idea what the overall cost will be and will he make the consultants' report available to Members of the House?

I do not have that information here. If the Deputy contacts me later, I will give him that information.