Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the Deputy's ongoing advocacy and work in the Oireachtas on this issue. From a policy perspective, I want to take a very open approach to medicinal cannabis-based products. We want to make sure it is safe for patients, obviously, and we will always follow the clinical advice. Within that, I have told the Department and the HSE that there should be no idea of shutting these products down because they are cannabis-based. Let us follow the evidence and let us do what is best for patients.

On the initiation of the medicinal cannabis access programme pilot in 2021, the intention was to commence this review after five years, which would not be for another at two years. However, I decided to bring the review forward. I do not think we need to wait for five years. My Department commissioned the Health Research Board to undertake an international evidence review as an important input to the process. Earlier this year, the HRB published its review, entitled The Efficacy and Safety of Medicinal Cannabis in the Adult Populations. The next step in the review process is to establish a clinical review group. We have the report and it is a very good piece of work from the HRB. The clinical review group will be there to review the evidence the HRB has found.

My Department is now in the process of making the necessary arrangements to establish this group. The good news is that I anticipate the group will be set up in the coming weeks.

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