Speaking to RTÉ's Today with Sean O'Rourke programme, Mr Quinn said he had discussed the issue with Minister of State Alex White, who he said was considering it.

Mr Quinn said: "Instead of sitting behind a wheelie bin, or in a doorway, or in a grimy basement, sharing needles and walking amongst discarded needles, you're putting them in contact with someone who is in a position to supervise what they're doing and create a pathway for that person out of the hellhole that they're in."

The Lord Mayor said he had also discussed the proposal with gardaí. He said they would need to be given a clear set of guidelines on how to deal with addicts using such a service.

Mr Quinn was reacting to a recent proposal by the Ana Liffey Drug Project for the introduction of a medically supervised injection centre (MSIC) for use in Dublin city centre........