Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their comprehensive presentations. While there is evidence that this programme has worked in other countries, we need to convince people here that it will work. Mr. Kennedy referred to the latest evidence of implementing these centres, which supports this as the way forward in dealing with this particular aspect. I wonder about the presentation of that evidence and how it can be used to get the public on board. For instance, we have received a letter from a Temple Bar company raising concerns about this proposal. It was signed by a number of people who seem unconvinced. The only way of getting people on board is by producing clearer evidence and getting it out there. This comes back to some of the areas around methadone treatment facilities. I note that there have been complaints in Cork where the local authority had to take certain action to ensure the area was properly cleaned up so that no one was left exposed. How do we get the message across to convince people that we should move forward with this project? If we are talking about doing a pilot project, what timescale is involved before there is clear evidence that the project is working?

My apologies for being absent earlier but we had a vote in the Seanad.