Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On Deputy Maloney's question regarding Sativex and similar products, I agree with him and agree with his remarks on the value of making this available. It is critical that this be done. His direct questions relate first to the regulations that are necessary because it is not lawful at present to manufacture, produce, prepare or in any way deal with cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal products. It simply cannot be done under the law and consequently requires regulations to be signed. Draft regulations are in being. I have been dealing with this matter and was and remain hopeful that I could sign these regulations by the end of this week. That is how imminent this is. If it does not happen by the end of this week, and I will endeavour to do everything in my power to ensure it could be, there are one or two issues of a legal nature that need to be ironed out. I am hopeful it can be done this week but, if not, I expect it will be early next week. Once the regulations are signed, it then will require the Irish Medicines Board to deal formally with the matter. It already has approved the product itself but of course it cannot proceed until the regulations themselves are signed by me. I have indicated this will be done imminently.