In regard to this addition to Section 12, I should like to know what it actually involves in the case of a medical practitioner who wants urgently to order any particular medical substance for his patient. He has to communicate with the Excise and Customs officer but I do not know if it is necessary to get his permission before he can order the medicine or if he will be allowed to get the medicine he orders by wire by the next morning's post. Any restriction that would cause any delay in the delivery of that medicine would be criminal, because the life of the patient is involved. I do not know why a doctor should be called upon to give all those reasons—possibly post mortem reasons—for ordering. He has enough to do without putting a lot of additional clerical work on him.

This amendment was intended to provide further facilities for medical practitioners to import therapeutic substances in case of emergency. The matter had been discussed in this House on Second Reading by Deputies Mulcahy and Hennessy and an amendment was inserted which appeared to cover adequately the points at issue. On further consideration of the Bill however and after discussions with medical men outside the House, it appeared to be advisable to provide further facilities and as a result this amendment was inserted in the Seanad and I recommend it for the acceptance of the House.