I wish to use this opportunity to focus attention on the specific case of Ava Barry. People the length and breadth of the State know the extremes to which her mother, Vera, had to go to get Ava much-needed access to the medication that would improve her quality of life. However, the family is now locked into a financial burden. They must ensure they have €9,500 upfront every three months, even during a pandemic, and wait for reimbursement. This cannot continue. It is truly unfair and it is not good enough. I can tell the Taoiseach that I know from experience that Vera is in distress and despair. Will he ensure equal treatment for those prescribed Bedrocan? Will he allow for Bedrocan medicinal cannabis products to be funded at source? Will he at least #talktoVera?

I have been in regular contact with Ava's mother, Vera, for quite a long time now and have been very supportive in the various stages of the campaign, including, in the first instance, securing Bedrocan for Ava via the Dutch authorities. I have gone the hard miles on this one and I do not really need any hashtag sort of momentum to push me in any direction on this. I have been supportive from the get-go and I have worked with the Department of Health and successive Ministers for Health in respect of this issue, securing the drug and reimbursement from the get-go, as well in terms of the application of this important medication in the context of Ava and her specific condition. As the Deputy is aware, the expert group recommended that those with certain conditions would be in a position to avail of medicinal cannabis in this case. I will continue to pursue this final stage in terms of the new mechanisms that are now available to others who are availing of the compassionate access programme.