Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

This has relevance to a Bill I introduced six months ago, the Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill. It is very relevant.

The motion stated:

The IMO urges the Government not to limit the availability of medicinal cannabis products in any future legislation by restricting their prescription to consultants or the indications for which they can be prescribed, with such indications being informed by the evidence base.

Ten days ago I accompanied Vera Twomey on a trip to Barcelona to obtain medicinal cannabis for her daughter. On arrival at Dublin Airport, that medicine was taken from her even though she had a prescription. I would say that medicine was taken from her illegally and she wants it back for the health of her daughter. I appeal to the Taoiseach as a person and not as a politician. It is imperative that my Bill is given a date by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health. Every week I get phone calls from people in pain who are not criminals, but are being treated like criminals. I ask the Taoiseach to give a date and give some hope to these people. They should not be treated like criminals but like citizens of this country trying to obtain medicinal cannabis. If the Taoiseach could give a date, it would be a really good legacy on his part.

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