Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Deputy's concern, but there is possibly less flexibility in this case. GPs could apply to the ministerial licence scheme, whereas only a treating consultant can apply to this programme. The treating consultant is the safeguard. There is no pseudoscience involved. A medically qualified consultant who is treating someone has to satisfy himself or herself that this is worth doing in his or her medical opinion. It is not a political decision. At one stage some people here would nearly have had me giving out the cannabis. That will not be the case. It will be done under very strict medical regulations for a set period of time.

I accept the Deputy's view because it is a fact that the evidence on the medicinal benefits of cannabis is scant at best. It is not an authorised medicine.