Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The Health Products Regulatory Authority is an internationally respected agency which is used to regulate every cream and tablet sold, prescribed or dispensed here. I take serious offence at the Deputy's suggestion that I should go to the audio-visual room tomorrow to be enlightened. There is no darkness on this issue, on which I am fully aware of the position. It is a major issue when an elected Member believes it appropriate or responsible to describe a report by the HPRA, a State agency that is respected internationally, as fatally flawed. He also spoke about me taking a biased view of the Bill. I oppose it because it is madness.

Legalising or decriminalising drugs is a different argument. As I stated, my issue with the Bill is the use of the word "medicinal" and the circumvention of the rules and regulations on the issue.

I have to leave shortly to speak about vaccinations in the Chamber. Large amounts of taxpayers' money and European Union funding goes into research and science. There appears to be a gap between the dissemination to the public of research findings and the use of fake facts or what is described as new or independent evidence that is distinct from the evidence provided by the scientific bodies and regulatory authorities we trust. I am concerned, from a public health point of view, by the Deputy's irresponsible statement that there is a huge body of evidence in support of his position which holds the same weight as the evidence of the HPRA or the regulations of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. My role in this regard is to protect public health.