Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Dr. De Block has clearly indicated and laid out a policy line for the European Union in general. It is something we should support in every possible way to link up with her and with other like-minded countries throughout the European Union with a view to achieving the level of equilibrium that is required to give the best value for money, the best treatment and the earliest treatment to the patients who are waiting, even as we speak. I will not delay any further other than to say I would strongly support Dr. De Block if she was to contact the European Commission on this subject as a matter of urgency.

It would be a huge leap forward for the patients who are awaiting treatment, testing and so on, individually, across Europe. It is a totally artificial way of dealing with the situation. There is no necessity for that at all. It can all be done in one fell swoop and with application right across the EU.