Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for appearing before the committee today. I compliment Senator Ó Ríordáin for his work in the previous Administration, as well as the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, who is currently dealing with the issue. I have a couple of questions. In a previous incarnation, I had some experience of the Swiss experiments in Zurich and St. Gallen, as well as the Amsterdam ones. One of the first things they had difficulty with regarding registration was to stop intruders from superimposing themselves by benefitting from the scheme, while at the same time double-dosing outside the scheme. There is a need for controlled registration, otherwise the authenticity of the centres will become vague and they will not work.

Have the figures for mortality rates involving drugs users, including those injecting, been broken down? Are they mainly from habitual, occasional or accidental users? It is hugely important to have that information. I entirely agree with the remarks concerning some parts of the inner city that have been beset with the problem over many years. It is distressing to see its effects and the colossal impact on those communities. Sadly, it is both debilitating and degenerating. However, it is positive to see this forward movement in the form of supervised injecting facilities.

Ireland has one of the highest mortality rates in the EU from drug abuse, including injections. I presume the Netherlands has a higher rate. I am not sure but I would be interested to know. Why are they such leaders in that dubious contest? What are the contributing factors there and have the witnesses studied them?

The societal issues are well known. However, one of the things we discovered in St. Gallen was that an emphasis was placed on the need to assist those who wish to recover, as opposed to those who do not wish to recover. They were discriminating between one and the other. In fact, they had provided work spaces so that people who were habitual and did not appear to be in any way disposed to recovery, would have employment. The employment was not great but it occupied the minds of those concerned.

In the past, methadone treatment was criticised because it went on forever in some cases, but it does not. There are people who have recovered successfully. I would like to hear the witnesses' comments on those who have successfully recovered from severe addiction. We must salute their cause and the work they have done, both as an example to everybody else and the manner and method in which they went about it. These are personal issues and personal confrontation is not easy. It is one of the most difficult things to handle but they have done it.

I am not certain how the operation will work through GPs. One of the problems GPs will always have is a huge queue in a waiting room, which takes time. I am therefore not so sure that that will work with habitual users. If my patience can be tested at a GP's surgery due to delays, how will it work for drug users?

To what extent will professional accountability manifest itself in operating these centres? Professional responsibility is required so that society knows that those in charge are disposed towards helping addicts and victims that, hopefully, are on the road to recovery.

What procedures will be followed in regard to suspending or withdrawing a licence? What kind of activities would result in the withdrawal of a licence? What kind of vetting will take place in providing and allocating a licence in the first instance? For example, to what degree will the authorities need to be satisfied that the person to whom a licence is granted to operate a centre is a responsible individual?

Under no circumstances should we allow cross-fertilisation whereby those in the illegal drugs trade outside can gain access either to the supply or the provision of supplies, both of which have happened in the past in various situations. If people are disposed to undertaking a programme, we should be certain that nothing interferes with it. Nobody should have any influence over it, except those disposed towards its success.