Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Before Christmas Deputy Gino Kenny introduced a Bill dealing with the legalisation of medicinal cannabis. In the Dáil the Minister said he welcomed the Bill in which he saw merit. Unfortunately, the people who suffer from epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, arthritis and fibromyalgia, of which I have been a sufferer for 20 years, have seen no progress made on the Bill. Some 1.6 million people in this country suffer from chronic pain. From a survey taken in the last week, it has now been accepted by GPs across the country that medicinal cannabis, properly dispensed with a prescription, properly controlled and produced in synthetic form to remove its damaging properties, would be good for patients and help to reduce the numbers of painkillers, sleeping tablets, antidepressants and morphine patches those suffering from these ailments have to endure every day. I ask the Minister to bring forward the legislation as soon as possible. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his tolerance.