The National Drug Treatment Centre in Dublin would need planning permission to operate as a drug injection centre, according to the city council.
It had already ruled that premises in the capital operated by Merchants Quay Ireland and Ana Liffey, which dispense needles for addicts, would need to apply for permission.
It has now decided following submissions from a business group that the National Drug Treatment Centre run by the Health Service Executive on Pearse St would also require permission as an injection centre would be a material change of use. This centre already dispenses methadone.
The decision follows submissions by the Dublin Business Alliance which represents the Temple Bar Company, the Restaurants Association of Ireland and the Licensed Vintners Association.
The council also ruled that the former Longfields Hotel on Fitzwilliam St, which is due to be operated as a homeless hostel, would require planning permission to become an injection centre.
The HSE has invited tenders for the operation of a supervised injection centre and is due to announce a decision early next month.
