Medicinal Products.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 March 2010

Tuesday, 2 March 2010

Questions (139)

Joe Costello

Question:

183 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children the developments in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway regarding their request to return to Ireland and receive medical treatment involving a substance which is illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act; if she is satisfied that Ireland is not in breach of UN conventions and EU directives in the operation of its current practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10022/10]

Written answers

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The current legal position in Ireland in relation to cannabis is that it is a Schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. All Schedule 1 substances are substances which are considered as having no medicinal use and the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis is unlawful except for the purposes of research.

The importation of cannabis and substances and products containing cannabis to Ireland, even if legally obtained in another EU Member State, is prohibited. It is not possible for cannabis, products containing cannabis or derivatives thereof to be authorised for medicinal use or for prescription by a medical practitioner. The Misuse of Drugs legislation make no provision for derogations in respect of the importation or possession of cannabis-containing substances or products. I am satisfied that the Misuse of Drugs legislation as operated in Ireland is not in breach of UN Conventions and EU Directives.