A building housing a head shop in North Frederick Street, Dublin, was damaged by fire last night.

The alarm was raised shortly before 9.30pm.

The Dublin Fire Brigade was quickly on the scene and brought the blaze under control.

It is believed the small fire started in the front of the Happy Hippy shop, causing minor damage.

A garda technical examination is to be carried out later to determine what caused last night's fire.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael Health Spokesperson James Reilly has suggested that an amendment be placed in the Finance Bill to legally require head shops to have a licence to operate.

Deputy Reilly said the Bill to deal with the regulation of head shops was expected to be put before the House next month and to be made law by June.

He said this would be a satisfactory short-term measure to deal with the problems of head shops.

He also said the Minister for the Environment could introduce a regulation around opening times.

The Taoiseach said if the legislation was coming as fast as the Deputy had envisaged, it would be best to deal with it in the primary legislation on the issue.

