Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for coming before us again. What they are recommending is that, within certain parameters, the use of cannabis-based products be authorised but on foot of a prescription from a medical consultant or somebody at that level, for want of a better word.

What the witnesses are saying is that it is allowed, but if I needed it, I would have to get a medical consultant to prescribe it for me. I would like that point to be clarified.

A doctor is entitled to his or her professional judgment and that decision that is made by a prescriber. Would the representatives of the Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA, consider it appropriate for a Minister to ignore or move towards ignoring its advice? Would they see that as being the role of the Minister or is it the role of the HPRA to do what it is doing in this regard?

Is access to cannabis products for medical use in other countries currently on foot of a medical consultant's prescription? I would welcome some information on that. It happens regularly enough that a doctor prescribes an unlicensed medicine in this country. In my job I am aware that unlicensed medicines, usually ones which are licensed in other countries, are prescribed. There is no reason they are not licensed here but it is more an issue concerning paperwork. One could ask what that would leave us open to in this country if we were to circumvent the licensing. In other countries are such products always made available on foot of a consultant's prescription? If a consultant or regular GP prescribes a product off-licence, where does the liability lie? My understanding is that if a doctor prescribes something in Ireland off-licence, he or she is solely liable for the effects of the medicines, and takes it upon himself or herself professionally.