Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of injecting rooms, which drug users in Galway will be able to use from next year onwards, according to the Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. It appears that two sites are under consideration for housing these injecting centres. While I am not objecting to the plans per se, full consultation is required as opposed to having a decision taken and followed by supposed consultation. If it is the case that two sites are under consideration, the decision must almost have been made. I am not aware of any consultation taking place in respect of either site. It is unsatisfactory that it remains unclear where the proposed centres will be located. The lack of consultation is causing a significant amount of unease in Galway regarding the Minister of State's plan and the possible location of these centres. While I fully agree that it is preferable to have supervised injection rooms, proper consultation is needed in respect of this process. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of State to come to the Seanad to discuss the issue of injecting centres.