Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A theme coming through this debate is the lack of checks and balances.

There has been a lot of media coverage on the use of cannabis for medical treatment. It is interesting that the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, is being blamed by all for delays on this matter. The Minister had a licence issued in regard to one family in west Cork for the use of cannabis for a young child. That application was supported by the medical consultant. A second application was received on 31 January but it did not have the support of the consultant who was caring for that child.

It is important that we have checks and balances in this matter also. The Joint Committee on Health dealt with this matter this morning at which the CEO of the Health Products Regulatory Authority made it clear that the authority now wants to introduce a five year cannabis access programme. She stated, "Such a programme is necessary both to maximise the safe and effective use of cannabis as a medical therapy for an individual patient and to minimise the potential [negative impact of wider access on society]". She went on to state, "Patients treated with cannabis should be under the care of a medical consultant who has expertise and experience in the treatment of the specified condition, and who is responsible for the monitoring and follow-up of the patient".

The Minister is prepared to give a licence where that is available.It is important that we stop making false commitments to people to the effect that a licence can be issued and there will be no monitoring. That cannot be done and it would be dangerous to do so. It is extremely dangerous for children. Let us get the truth out there. The licence is available. It is on the basis that suitable monitoring and supervision is available.