Smyth

Brian Smyth was speaking ahead of a Belfast City Council vote on Thursday on whether or not to install the bin in the council-owned car park on Little Donegall Street.

Green Party representative Smyth said the council was lifting between 600 and 700 needles a month in the city centre, with other organisations also involved in the collection of needles.

Smyth had previously tabled motions for similar bins to be placed in Writer's Square, however this is not council land.

Smyth said members of the council's cleansing team had found needles disposed in regular rubbish bins.

Smyth said such a facility could make the area safe for "people who live, work and socialise in the city centre".