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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Supervised injecting centres legislation

Summary

Jonathan O’Brien presses for urgent legislation enabling supervised injecting centres, arguing it may not be enacted before dissolution. The Taoiseach confirms publication is expected next year and that enactment will not occur during the current session.

On 25 November, I raised with the Taoiseach the issue of supervising injecting centres and I received a response from the Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. He outlined that he proposes to include additional heads in the misuse of drugs (amendment) Bill, which is being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. He goes on to state, "It is expected that the Bill will be published in early 2016," but he could not say for certain whether it would be enacted before the dissolution of the Dáil. This is an urgent matter. As the Minister of State stated in the letter, "The practice is unhygienic and poses a significant health risk to the drug users and through the discarding of needles, also poses a significant health risk to the general public." Can I have clarification on whether this Bill will be enacted before the dissolution of the Dáil?

Comment on this
Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

No, it will not be enacted before the conclusion of this session of the Dáil. It is an important Bill.

Comment on this

Just not important enough.

Comment on this
Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

It is due for publication next year and the point the Deputy made is that the Minister of State has referred to additional heads being inserted in the Bill. It will, therefore, not be enacted before the end of this year.

Comment on this