Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not familiar with the individual case to which the Deputy refers but I am familiar with the issue and I have been personally involved with other families affected by it. The cannabis for medicinal use access programme the Government is to implement aims to facilitate access to cannabis-based products or preparations that are of a standardised quality, and which meet an acceptable level of quality assurance under the manufacturing process. The programme will provide access for patients who are under the care of a medical consultant for the following medical conditions which have failed to respond to standard treatments: spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and severe treatment-resistant epilepsy, which appears to be the issue to which Deputy Barry refers in relation to Michael.

An expert reference group has drawn up operational, clinical and practice guidelines for healthcare professionals treating patients through the programme and has advised that cannabis oils should be used for the purpose of achieving accuracy and consistency of dosage for patients. Departmental officials are working on secondary legislation in the form of three statutory instruments which will underpin the access programme. The Government and I do not think it is appropriate that politicians are the ones making decisions as to what is appropriate health treatment for children or adults.

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