Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 11:

In page 8, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following:

“(4) This Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas for renewal every two years so that both Houses are assured that it continues to operate to its most effective, having regard to the highest standards of individual and public health and safety.”.

This amendment seeks to promote the best interests of the centres or facilities and relates to the environment in which they operate. The Minister of State knows there will be great difficulty in regard to location and there are concerns. The constituency I represent has a very high level of hostel-type accommodation, emergency accommodation and addiction services. The fear is not coming from a position of "not in my back yard", however, but from the fact there are so many services in one area and they are attracting people who are dealing in drugs. We want to give the people who will be using these centres every chance that this will help their health and might also encourage them into recovery at some point. We know there are certain areas in this city and outside the city that would not for one second tolerate any kind of addiction centre being anywhere near them. That is why we need to keep a close eye on this. It is the responsibility of the Oireachtas to have a role to ensure the centres are effective and that there are high standards of individual public health and safety. I am not taking from any of the addiction services which may apply to have the injecting rooms in their centre. I accept that this is innovative, inventive and totally new and I want it to work. That is why I want it to have every opportunity to work.

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