Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
729. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the action he and his Department are taking in view of a recent judicial review which overturned permission for medically supervised injection centres in Dublin city to ensure that these important services are offered without delay. [43979/21]
View answerThe High Court in a recent judgement set aside the decision of an Bord Pleanala to grant permission to Merchants Quay Ireland for a supervised injecting facility and provisionally proposed to remit the matter to the Bord for reconsideration.
It is understood that 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 Programme for Government commits to the opening a pilot medically supervised injecting facility inDublin City in order to reduce the number of lives lost through drug overdose. The Government has have passed legislation and provided resources to establish this harm reduction and lifesaving service. I remain very supportive of the establishment of the facility.
The next steps in the planning process for the facility will be determined by the High Court. It would be inappropriate for me to make any comment on this matter until the Court proceedings are concluded.
