This time last year the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, commissioned a report, Cannabis for Medicinal Use - A Scientific Review. Not only has nothing happened in that time, the Government has stalled the Bill to legislate for medicinal use because of a money matter. The Taoiseach said yesterday that we exported our problems and imported our solutions but, at this moment, families and individuals are leaving this country for Spain and Holland because they cannot get access to medicinal cannabis. As the leader of this country the Taoiseach has to show leadership to the Minister Deputy Simon Harris, so that he lifts the money matter. There are four people who have licences for medicinal cannabis and they have to pay €11,000 per year for medication but they cannot get it. I ask that we bring in legislation for this immediately.

As the Deputy correctly points out, it is possible to obtain cannabis on a medicinal basis in Ireland by licence, though one needs an appropriately qualified doctor to prescribe it and a licence from the Minister for Health. The Minister has never actually denied a licence and when applications come through, with a consultant or an appropriate specialist to back them up, they are granted.

I will have to check on the progress of the legislation. I have not refused a money message so it has not come to my desk.

The Taoiseach has to show leadership on this.