The Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has called on the Minister for Health Simon Harris to step up plans that will see the introduction laws that will allow patients access to medicinal cannabis here.
Speaking in the Dail this afternoon Mr Martin said it was wrong and highly concerning that patients are being forced to travel to the Netherlands every three months to receive treatment.
Mr Martin who is advocating for a new legislation to be introduced early next also claimed that there was an “institutional resistance” when it came to approving the new treatment options.
He also added that the treatment could be introduced if there was a push on the subject, but he claimed that the Government were reluctant given that it has been two years since the matter has been discussed.
The Government have however denied that they are dragging their feet and that are more willing than ever to introduce the treatment for patients with rare illnesses.
Responding to Mr Martin’s comments, Fine Gael Minister Michael Creed said the government are working to introduce a legislation, but they are being extra cautious and are not going to take any undue risks when it comes to accessing the treatment option.