Thomas Gould
Question:2896. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the contingency plans given the recent judicial review into supervised injection facilities. [39537/21]
View answerTuesday, 27 July 2021
Questions (2896, 2897)
Thomas Gould
Question:2897. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if mobile supervised injection facilities have been explored as an alternative given delays. [39538/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2896 and 2897 together.
The judgement of the High Court is to set aside the decision of an Bord Pleanála to grant permission to Merchants Quay Ireland for a supervised injecting facility and to provisionally remit the matter to the Bord for reconsideration.
The matter is to be further considered by the Court in October, following submissions by the respective legal teams, including those representing An Bord Pleanála and Merchants Quay Ireland.
The Government and I are committed to the establishment of a supervised injecting facility in Dublin city. We have passed legislation and provided resources for this harm reduction and life saving service.
The legislation providing for the establishment, licensing and operation of supervised injecting facilities refers to the operation of a facility in respect of certain premises. It does not provide for mobile injecting facilities. Furthermore, the Government decision approving the provision of supervised injecting facilities envisages the initial establishment of such a facility in Dublin city centre on a pilot basis.
It is not appropriate to make any further comment on this matter until the High Court proceedings are concluded.
Question No. 2897 answered with Question No. 2896.