Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she will address the obligations in the Schengen Agreement which oblige Ireland to permit people living in the EU to travel with legally prescribed medication (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22826/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and regulations made thereunder regulate and control the import, export, production, supply and possession of a range of named narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Substances are scheduled under the Act in accordance with Ireland's obligations under international conventions and/or where there is evidence that the substances are causing significant harm to public health in Ireland. The current legal position in Ireland in relation to cannabis is that it is a scheduled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and its sale, supply, distribution and possession is unlawful except for the purpose of research. My Department is aware that claims have been made in respect of cannabis and its possible benefits for patients suffering from certain conditions such as multiple sclerosis and glaucoma. As the law currently stands, however, cannabis is not licensed here for medicinal use and I do not intend to change the law in this regard. The issue of Ireland's ratification of the provisions of the Schengen Agreement is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.