Merchants Quay Ireland has been granted planning permission for Ireland's first supervised drug injection centre.
An Bord Pleanála has overruled Dublin City Council planners to allow the facility in the south inner city.
Merchants Quay Ireland has been granted planning permission for a Medically Supervised Injecting Facility (MSIF) by An Bord Pleanála.
With one death every day in Ireland from a drug overdose, this facility will save lives. #SIFsSaveLiveshttps://t.co/0mdbAfZnuU pic.twitter.com/2Hfjji5vZy— Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) (@MerchantsQuayIR) December 24, 2019
The planning appeals tribunal says the facility would not "adversely impact" the residential character of the Merchant's Quay area.
The charity is welcoming the decision and says it will allow "isolated and vulnerable " drug users to get "vital healthcare."
The Minister for Health Simon Harris has welcomed An Bord Pleanála's decision, and says it's time Ireland recognises that addiction is an illness.
Excellent news! We can now proceed with Ireland’s first supervised injection facility and recognise that addiction is an illness. Well done Merchant’s Quay. Time we all get serious about tackling addiction issues in our country @MerchantsQuayIR https://t.co/zRssK2IWe4
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) December 24, 2019
