David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My time is limited. I say again this is something that has to be done. I know there is a process but we need to look at the process. The drug approval process needs to be overhauled. It will go to the drugs group which will have to do its work. As Mr. Flanagan said, it will be sometime next year, and we do not know when, before a decision will be made on it. We are still some time away from a decision being made on it. This is brings us back to MCAP, which is one drug and one product this year. We do not know about next year and we do not know how many patients will be able to benefit from the process.

I have a question for Dr. Nolan on an issue that keeps arising. This is with regard to CBD products that have a trace of THC. It goes back to a European court ruling on this matter regarding traces of less than 0.2%. This comes from companies that sell these products which I am sure lobby all members on a regular basis. Their shops are raided. They say the products they sell have minimal traces of THC in line with the European court judgment. Will Dr. Nolan talk us through what the state of play is? According to one of the opening statements, it is currently unclear whether CBD-only products that contain only trace elements of THC can be processed for inclusion in the MCAP as per existing legislation. There seems to be confusion about this and we need clarity. When are we likely to see some clarity? Is it something the courts will have to decide or is it something the political system can decide?