'There is a real possibility now that Ava will be helped' - Mother’s delight over medicinal cannabis law

The family of a six-year-old girl who suffers 20 seizures a day because of a serious health condition has welcomed news that the Government will not block an opposition bill to legalise cannabis use for strictly controlled medical reasons.

Vera Twomey from Cork was speaking after the Independent Alliance said it will support the bill and Fine Gael confirmed it will not seek a vote on the legislation next week.

Combined with the support of Fianna Fáil, the Greens, Sinn Féin, Labour and the Social Democrats, the AAA-PBP bill is certain to pass to committee stage before being put into law early next year.