Cork mother pauses walk to Dáil after phone call from Health Minister

The mother of a seriously unwell child is 'hopeful' a meeting with Health Minister Simon Harris will provide some much-needed solutions for her daughter.

Vera Twomey yesterday set off in protest from her home in Blarney on a 250km journey to Dáil Éireann after her daughter, Ava, suffered a number of devastating seizures during the night.

Her daughter, six-year-old Ava Barry, was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a rare, drug-resistant epilepsy which causes her to have hundreds of seizures daily. Vera had been petitioning the Government to grant permission for her daughter to use medicinal marijuana.

Cannabis for medical purposes is available in a number of countries, including Netherlands, Czech Republic, Canada, Australia, Malta, Croatia and certain states in the United States. However it remains strictly controlled in Ireland.

Vera believes the use of cannabidiol (CBD Oil) would have a positive impact on Ava's life, as it has had a proven high success rate in reducing seizures in similar patients in the US. However, as it is an extract from an illegal garden plant — cannabis — it is not available for use here.

She reached Mallow by 6pm yesterday evening when she received a call from Simon Harris, offering to meet her in Dublin next week if she ceased her protest.

"At half six tonight Simon Harris rang me and he asked me to call off my walk," Vera wrote on Facebook.

"He said he would meet me in Dublin on Wednesday next to talk about Ava's situation and he said he will issue a statement tomorrow. He said he is doing every thing he can to help and would I call off the walk.

"I have, I think, a responsibility to postpone continuing the walk now as he said he will do everything possible to help me.

"He should get a chance to show us that he means business."

Good phone conversation with Vera Twomey this evening. Looking forward to meeting her next week. Would like legislative change in this area

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) November 2, 2016

In a statement released today, Minister Harris announced that he wants to review Ireland's policy on medicinal cannabis with the best clinical advice and expertise.

As part of this review, the Minister has asked the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to provide him with their expert scientific advice.

"This is not a discussion about decriminalising cannabis in any way shape or form, it is about reviewing our current policy and seeking to inform ourselves of the latest medical and scientific evidence on the potential medical benefits of cannabis for some people with certain medical conditions", he said.

"Since coming into office I have had initial discussions with my officials, medical experts, patients and members of the Oireachtas. I am therefore very pleased to understand from the Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Dr Harty, that the Committee is planning to discuss this issue later this month."

"I met with Vera Twomey, mother of Ava, in June and I understand the very difficult situation the family are in. I look forward to meeting with Vera again in the coming days.

"I know that many patients believe cannabis should be a treatment option for their medical condition. However, cannabis is not currently an authorised medicine and has not gone through the normal regulatory procedures for medicines which are designed to protect patients and ensure treatments are supported by good evidence of their effectiveness."

Vera vows to continue her walk to the Dáil if her meeting with the Health Minister is unsatisfactory, and says she will resume her protest from Mallow.

"If we don't get the progress we need I am happy and ready to be dropped off at the fantastic Roundabout Tavern, Mallow and begin walking again for Ava.

"I hope I'm doing the right thing but Simon promised me he would do everything to help and I still believe he's a fine man and I'm ever so hopeful he will come up trumps."

Vera was quick to praise the people who met and supported her yesterday as she begain her journey.

"When I walked out the lane this morning shaking with the fear, worried to know was I doing the right thing for our Ava, I could not in my wildest imagination have thought we would get the support we got." She also revealed she had been offered free accommodation by both the Firgrove Hotel outside Mitchelstown and the Roundabout Tavern in Mallow.