Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Select Committee on Health
Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage
2:30 pm
Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The first relates to a small wording matter in section 3(2). First of all, we may look to discuss the matter and then we may look to amend it.
Section 3(2) states: "When determining whether or not to grant a licence in accordance with subsection (1), the Minister may consult such persons as the Minister considers appropriate, including the Executive and An Garda Síochána." Is it possible to incorporate strengthened wording here? Perhaps we could insert the expression "shall consult with persons as the Minister considers appropriate, including the Executive and An Garda Síochána." That would strengthen the consultative arrangement. The same applies in section 3(6). Could we insert "shall" instead of "may"? Does the Minister of State have any thoughts on that?