Enterprise Ireland

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020

Tuesday, 8 December 2020

Questions (87)

Malcolm Noonan

Question:

87. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the policy of Enterprise Ireland that companies producing hemp-based products cannot be supported by grants; if he will request Enterprise Ireland to review this policy given the Programme for Government commitment to fully explore the potential for growing fibre crops such as hemp, considering whether these crops have a viable market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41332/20]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Enterprise Ireland is currently not in a position to support companies active in the area of cannabis-based products. Enterprise Ireland’s position is based on the fact that, while EU regulations permit a threshold of 0.2% of THC in hemp products, products containing any trace of THC are considered as a controlled drug in Ireland under the Misuse of Drugs Orders. In other words, there is no lower limit of THC permissible under national legislation.

Therefore, products which can contain even minimal levels of THC pose reputational risk to Enterprise Ireland as the agency is not in a position to verify which companies, products and extraction methods meet the legal requirement in Ireland to contain 0.00% levels of THC.