People with MS, severe epilepsy and chemotherapy patients could soon be given medicinal cannabis to alleviate their symptoms.

A pilot programme for compassionate access for certain patients has been announced.

It comes on the back of a new HPRA report which found scientific evidence supporting the widespread use of it is insufficient and sometimes conflicting.

But the drug will be allowed to treat certain conditions in a controlled manner.

Susan Keogh has been speaking to CEO of the HRPA Lorraine Nolan about the new programme:

The Health Minister Simon Harris says this 5-year pilot scheme will help to determine the future of medicinal cannabis in Ireland: