Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 29, between lines 42 and 43, to insert the following:

"18.—(1) It shall be an offence—

(a) for any person or body corporate to send or cause to be sent by use of the ordinary postal service, any medicinal product, where the sale of such a medicinal product is concerned, or where there is financial reward for the person or body corporate so sending the medicinal product, or

(b) for any person to order or take delivery, within this jurisdiction, of a medicinal product referred to in this subsection.

(2) Where a person is guilty of an offence under subsection (1)(a), he shall be liable to a fine of up to €3,000, or up to twelve months in prison, or both.

(3) Where a person is guilty of an offence under subsection (1)(b), he shall be liable to a fine of up to €1,000, or up to three months in prison, or both."

We discussed this amendment extensively on Committee Stage. It focuses on pharmaceutical products being sent in the post from other jurisdictions. This would take into account people buying drugs abroad or on the Internet. The Minister of State made a contribution at that time and he may have more to add.

See this speech in context