Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is important to acknowledge that most of us want to do our best for patients in these cases and that we need to do something to assist them. That is my priority as well. Medicinal cannabis is available in countries such as the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Canada, Australia, Malta and Croatia and the medical profession is aware of this. The key response to the matter raised by the Deputy is that it is possible for the Minister to consider granting a licence to an Irish-registered doctor for a named patient. No applications have been received from doctors in Ireland and it is understood from contacts with families that doctors are reluctant to get involved. However, the Deputy has raised these cases and it is open to the Minister to consider granting a licence and that is the road we should go down.

It is not up to us, as politicians, to interfere with the doctor-patient relationship but there is a great deal of sympathy for the Deputy on this issue. He published a Private Members' Bill in late July, which provides for the establishment of the medicinal cannabis regulatory authority. The Bill is being considered by departmental officials. Some amendments may have to be made but the initial view is that we are seriously considering the legislation. The door is open for some sort of movement on the cases raised by the Deputy and I wish him well.

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