Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak very briefly about the Bill. I do not have a lot to say that has not been said. This is a Bill in which I have a particular interest having followed it in my previous ministry - the Department of Health.

When it was first proposed as an idea I was somewhat sceptical because I was concerned that it might encourage drug use, encourage more people to use heroin and other illegal drugs. Having looked at the matter and studied it, this really falls into the category of harm reduction. It is about reducing harm and ensuring that people who are going to inject anyway have a safe place to do so. They can use needles that are safe, thus reducing the transmission of blood-borne infections such as HIV.

In addition, if something goes wrong, medical help is nearby to ensure that the user does not overdose. I understand from the contributions of the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, that no one has ever died in a supervised injecting facility, probably because these facilities are available.

The project does something else that is important and valuable. People who are hard to reach and who are not likely to engage with addiction services are at least registered. In this way, they become exposed to and begin to interact with services that might be available. This increases the chances that they might someday get into a rehabilitation or maintenance programme.

For all these reasons this is timely legislation. I welcome it and recognise the work of the officials in the Department of Health in bringing it forward. The former Minister of State, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, started the process and the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, has brought it to this Stage. That is important and I express my support for it. I hope the Bill has speedy passage through this House and the Seanad.

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