Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will take the hint from the Ceann Comhairle.

While it is a pilot scheme, I believe we should examine the international evidence and embrace the concept more widely to ensure we can assist more people who are chronically addicted to substances and who inject. There are such people in many of our major cities and towns throughout the country.

There are always objections and the view that it should not happen in my backyard. However, as public representatives with a broader agenda in terms of the public good, we must be forceful in seeing how this works. We must ensure it is embraced by the community and An Garda Síochána. We must ensure it benefits those using it. We must ensure those who have oversight of it in terms of health outcomes are resourced to enable them to secure health requirements in the short term, medium term and longer term.

I welcome the Bill and compliment those who brought it forward. I know that it has broad support in the House. I hope it will have a meaningful impact on the lives of many people.

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