Updated 20.15
Gardaí have moved in to end a sit-down protest over access to cannabis-based medicine outside the main gate of Leinster House.
Four people were involved in the demonstration, including Vera Twomey - the woman who has been campaigning for access to the medicine for her young daughter Ava.
There was a large Garda presence on Kildare Street this evening, with the demonstration blocking some TDs who were trying to leave the grounds in their cars.
A number of TDs are lined up in their cars in the car park wanting to get out. Not sure they realise they're not helping by doing that https://t.co/o26x0Hi37h
— Páraic Gallagher (@paraicgallagher) May 4, 2017
Ms Twomey had indicated she would not leave until Minister Harris met with her.
WATCH: Vera Twomey removed from her sit down protest by Gardai pic.twitter.com/xwqrURooHy
— Páraic Gallagher (@paraicgallagher) May 4, 2017
She claims Minister Harris has failed to follow up on issues she raised at a meeting two months ago.
Ava suffers from Dravet Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy.
Vera has said cannabis-based medicine has provided her daughter a measure of relief, but she needs full access to medicinal cannabis oil.
Last month, Vera travelled to Spain to obtain medicinal cannabis for her daughter - but the prescription medicine was confiscated at Dublin Airport.
People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny - who has long supported Ms Twomey's campaign - called on Minister Harris to return the confiscated cannabis.
In a statement, Deputy Kenny argued: “I am demanding that Simon Harris contact Vera immediately and arrange to meet her and find a way to resolve this matter. All Vera wants is to meet Simon Harris as was previously agreed so she can go back home and look after her daughter.
"It is inexplicable that he is refusing this meeting. I am also asking him to return the medicinal cannabis Vera obtained, with a prescription, in Spain without delay."
