Results 8,861-8,880 of 9,591 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: I wish to clarify something. I was not present but I wanted to clarify two matters on the Bill.

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: 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...

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: We reserve the right to do that on Report Stage and Final Stage. That is what I am suggesting. I am keen to get the views of the Minister of State. What are the thoughts of the Minster of State on that specifically?

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: I am raising the matter on Committee Stage.

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: I intervened. I signalled this to the Chair.

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: I want to get an indication from the Minister of State. What are her thoughts on that?

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: We can still question the context. It is merely the specific wording of a specific section.

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: I can reserve the right for Final Stage.

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: I can say that I reserve the right to put forward an amendment.

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: That is all I am saying.

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: It is rather technical point.

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: The use of "shall" would possibly formalise a process of consultation between the health service and the Garda and would formalise it legally. It would also empower the Minister to consult with others, as appropriate. It is only technical wording, but I believe it would uphold the process of consultation with the same people with whom we want to progress this important legislation. It...

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: The Attorney General: Deputy Durkan.

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: One aspect of this may be worthy of consideration. Let us consider the expression: "the Minister shall consult with such persons as the Minister considers appropriate, which may include". The idea is to proscribe a process of consultation without necessarily ring-fencing the Minister in respect of who that might be. I believe it is worthy of consideration that the Minister would uphold a...

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: I echo what Deputy O’Connell said. We have the highest number of intravenous drug users in Europe. The negative health outcomes of leaving users on the streets and ignoring the problem are not working. The evidence base is what we should all be focused on as legislators. The evidence base from cities across the world is that such facilities have a positive effect in bringing people...

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: Will it be its own licensed premises?

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: How will it be reviewed? What review process is contained in the legislation? How will we be able to determine what is and is not working?

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: It is a case then the regulations will provide the review mechanism.

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: It may be worth examining the incorporation of some reference to rehabilitation in the Title or a certain section. We all agree this is a gateway to harm reduction and that it would be desirable to follow through with rehabilitation and intervention to give people a chance. Even in terms of language, it is worth signalling to the Oireachtas and the people that this is what we are trying to...

Select Committee on Health: Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (22 Mar 2017)

Jack Chambers: We were having a discussion about the Title.