Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)

A number of years ago, Wexford County Council, in conjunction with County Wexford VEC, agreed a transfer of land which was the former premises of Gorey technical school. I had the pleasure of being the vice chairman of Wexford County Council at the time and chairman of County Wexford VEC. The site contained an adult education facility, a library — for which a significant grant was received from An Chomhairle Leabharlann — the county council offices, Gorey Town Council offices, a courthouse and an office building. A construction project costing €21million was agreed between these bodies and the local authorities. The project is near completion and will be open in a few weeks. A civic square is located in the centre of the development.

A number of months ago, it came to my attention that the HSE intended establishing a methadone prescribing clinic in the HSE facility. The arrangement between the HSE and Wexford County Council was for a day care mental hospital and everybody was satisfied with that arrangment. However, the HSE proceeded to attempt to establish a methadone prescribing clinic within that facility.

I met with the HSE and informed it that this was a very inappropriate location for the establishment of such a facility. Unfortunately, the HSE chose to press ahead with the project, as it normally does, and tried to ignore the views of the entire body politic of north County Wexford, including the local area committee of Wexford County Council and practically all of Gorey Town Council. I informed the HSE that I would object strenuously to the clinic. I was involved in the Part 8 planning application and it is clear to me that permission was not granted for the establishment of a mental day care hospital. The only planning permission granted is for office space. I did not want to enter into a conflict but I had no option given the complete absence of a meeting of minds. It is not listening to the opinion of the body politic, the VEC and everybody else concerned that a greater disservice could not be done to the town of Gorey than the establishment of a methadone prescribing clinic in that location. If the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government consulted local authority officials, he would find that I am factually correct.

It is unfortunate that the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Pat Carey, has left the Chamber because I also raised the matter with him. I hope common sense prevails and that the HSE does not attempt to establish a methadone prescribing clinic at Civic Square. It is taking an outrageously belligerent attitude towards the entire body politic and for too long quangos of this type have ignored individual politicians and this House. I hope the Minister ensures this project does not proceed. I will be fighting in every forum available to me to demonstrate this is the wrong place to establish a clinic.

See this speech in context