I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 to 115, inclusive, together.
As the deputy is aware, it is open to a registered medical practitioner to apply for a Ministerial licence under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2016. Such a licence, if granted, enables them to legally import, possess, prescribe, supply, and administer the Schedule 1 controlled drug - cannabis - for the patient named on the licence.
Licence holders can nominate a representative to collect the patients prescribed cannabis product on their behalf if, for example, the patient is not able to do this personally. At the time of applying for the Ministerial licence the applicant must provide the details of the nominated person who will be collecting the prescribed product on the patient’s behalf. That nominated person's name will then be included on the licence for this purpose. This is a matter for the patient and their prescriber.
We are aware that a UK company may provide a service which involves it collecting cannabis products from the Netherlands for persons authorised to use it under the UK medical cannabis regime.
While this company can import medical cannabis products into the UK from the Netherlands, the UK authorities do not currently allow re-export from the UK to other countries, which includes Ireland.
I have been informed that this UK company may be acting as the patient’s “nominated representative” in the collection of their personally prescribed medical cannabis products. No similar Irish entity is known to provide this service, but it is certainly open to any patient to engage a representative on their behalf in this regard, including a limited company.
It should be noted that the Irish Revenue and Customs Authorities have the final say in all such matters.