26Minister's authorisation for possession and supply of narcotic substance

26 Minister's authorisation for possession and supply of narcotic substance

The Minister may make an authorisation under section 25A of the Act in respect of a narcotic substance, or a class of narcotic substances, in the following circumstances:

(a) where the registered nurse in respect of whom the authorisation is made is employed in a palliative care service approved by the Secretary;

(ab) [Regulation 26 Amended by S.R. 2022, No. 78, Applied:24 Oct 2022] where the registered nurse –

(i) has, within the previous 5 years, completed approved voluntary assisted dying training within the meaning of the End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Act 2021 ; and

(ii) has at least 5 years' experience as a registered nurse;

(b) [Regulation 26 Amended by S.R. 2023, No. 5, Applied:06 Mar 2023] where the registered nurse or midwife is employed in a community health centre approved by the Secretary at which it is impractical for a medical practitioner or an authorised nurse practitioner to attend and the nurse or midwife is acting in accordance with the instructions of a medical practitioner or an authorised nurse practitioner;

(c) [Regulation 26 Amended by S.R. 2023, No. 5, Applied:06 Mar 2023] where the registered nurse or midwife is employed in a medical institution approved by the Secretary at which it is impractical for medical practitioners or authorised nurse practitioners to attend after hours and the nurse or midwife is acting in accordance with the instructions of a medical practitioner or an authorised nurse practitioner;

(d) [Regulation 26 Amended by S.R. 2023, No. 5, Applied:06 Mar 2023] [Regulation 26 Amended by S.R. 2025, No. 8, Applied:12 Mar 2025] where the registered nurse or midwife –

(i) is in charge of a day-treatment centre or day-procedure centre approved by the Secretary; and