Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will have to go back to the chief medical officer for clarification, but my understanding is it would have to be the consultant caring for the patient. The Chairman will know better than any of us that when any drug is provided, how it interacts with the patient's overall condition and other medication and its dosage need to be monitored by somebody caring for the patient. It is correct to state that in the past people went abroad and received treatment. The treatment abroad scheme does not cover countries outside Europe but in the past some people by their own manner or means went abroad and obtained treatment and then sought permission to bring the treatment home, but they still required a consultant in this country. There was a case where a consultant in this country stated a named patient required the medication the person wished to bring here. This is the point we need to get to.

I hope the establishment of a compassionate access programme, which is not just about changing the law but also about informing and involving clinicians, would increase the number of clinicians with an interest in this area and provide greater monitoring, clarity and data for medicinal cannabis. I spoke to Deputy O'Reilly's colleague and my ministerial counterpart, Michelle O'Neill, MLA, who is interested in looking at what we have done here with regard to the North. There is much work to do in the area but it simply is not correct to suggest any politician can sign this when no medical consultant is stating to do so.