Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I echo what Deputy O’Connell said. We have the highest number of intravenous drug users in Europe. The negative health outcomes of leaving users on the streets and ignoring the problem are not working. The evidence base is what we should all be focused on as legislators. The evidence base from cities across the world is that such facilities have a positive effect in bringing people into a pathway of harm reduction and then rehabilitation. That is why I and my party support the piloting of such a centre.

Will the licence for the injecting facility come under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts 1994 and 2003? What is the comparative regime or will there be a new licensing regime? Is the Minister of State intending to amend those two Acts or will their provisions suffice?