Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will continue to make that point at meetings of European health Ministers. However, given that health is a national competence, instead of making that point, on which I agree with the Deputy, and waiting for progress, I decided that Ireland should show leadership and join other European countries of a similar view by moving ahead with the Valletta declaration. It is open to other member states to join and everyone is welcome, so to speak. I want to avoid a scenario where we do not move ahead because we are waiting on EU bureaucracy and discussions that could go on forever and a day.