Ali Bracken's report on medical pot raises the question: does the left hand know what the right hand is doing in our beleaguered Department of Health? On checking the validity of this story, I was informed by Minister Carey's office that in his 15-minute meeting in his constituency, no assurances of any kind regarding the legalising of cannabis were given to Mr McArdle. As the law stands, it is not possible for cannabis to be used for medicinal use in Ireland, he was informed. Minister Carey did not at any stage indicate he would raise this matter any further or make further enquiries on behalf of Mr McArdle.

Minister Carey then referred him to the Department of Health whose officials according to Minister Harney are seeking "expert clinical advice".

Would those be the same experts that allowed Head Shops to prosper at the expense of families who suffered from this trade, I wonder?

Grainne Kenny

Hon President EURAD

Arnold Grove

Glenageary, Dun Laoghaire