Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are 90 of these units across the world. Everywhere they have been provided, yes, there was opposition when they began to operate but that has all subsided because people see definite change not only in the communities in which they live - for example, a reduction in material being left behind in public places by drug users - but also in the facilities themselves being provided to people with chronic conditions. For many of them, it is the first step into any facility where they have the services of doctors and nurses, if required, and there are people who come out the other end. This is an opportunity for this little country of ours to reach out a hand to these people who perhaps in the past felt very isolated and not very well looked after by the State. It is the first time we have had legislation that could save the lives of those who are addicted to drugs, and it is about saving lives. One can get into other arguments on the matter. We have sat with An Garda Síochána and consulted with a range of many people across the medical sector, all of whom have indicated to us that they fully support the legislation as currently proposed. All I ask Deputy Barrett is that he give it a chance. We all deserve a chance in life, as do these people. The Deputy can home in on the fact that they are chronic users of illegal drugs, but that is a different argument altogether. These are human beings who find themselves in the position of chronic drug use. This is the first opportunity they are getting to go into clean, safe environments where they can build up trust with the doctors and nurses and other people working there and, perhaps, in time, come through a process of rehabilitation. All we ask is that we be given an opportunity to introduce the Bill in order to allow these people, who are the most marginalised in society and whom most communities do not want, the opportunity to have a life and perhaps an opportunity to save their lives as well. Nobody has died in any of these facilities.