Kenny Tynan is a father of four from Roscommon who has been diagnosed with brain cancer. He is treating his condition with medicinal cannabis. A number of weeks ago the Customs and Excise seized his medication which is prescribed by a doctor in Spain.

Noreen O'Neill is a mother of one from Kerry who has pleaded for the Government to provide access to medicinal cannabis for her son Michael who has been treated with ten anticonvulsant drugs without success. In January she began to administer CBD oil to her son and in the space of three days he became seizure-free. She said CBD oil has done what 13 months of treatment involving ten anticonvulsants has failed to do. Kenny and Noreen are not the only ones in this situation. People in this State have been forced to emigrate, go public, go to the black market and to break the law. Medicinal cannabis, which I have in my hand, is what it is all about. The Government has issued seven licences for the product. For some it is medicine while for others it is illegal.

The Deputy's time is up.

The law is completely broken on this issue. It is up to the Government to legislate on the issue. If the Government does not legislate it will let down thousands of people that are using this medicine.

It is my understanding that the Minister has made arrangements whereby if a medical consultant indicates that such medication would be appropriate that it will be made available. He has simplified the regime in that regard. He has not made a commitment to introduce new legislation that I know of.

What about our Bill?

It is my understanding that in any case where there is a medical indication and it is endorsed by the patient's consulting doctor the treatment is made available.

I wrote to the Minister and he has not come back to me.

I will get the Minister to confirm exactly the basis on which a person can get access but that is my understanding of the position.