Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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There are several other areas where we come in under one EU roof. Why is this particular area exclusive and why does it come up again and again? I cannot understand it and I will never understand it if I live to be 100 - I am heading that way at the moment.

If we are to gain the benefits and efficiencies that one would expect to gain from being part of a bigger population, there are rules within the European Union which apply in that regard. I asked earlier if we know how the pharmaceutical sector in Ireland will be affected by having a central agency, to which we would make a contribution and which would meet the criteria relating to subsidiarity. Those criteria would, in turn, apply across Europe. I do not understand why we cannot do it. There are already variations in cost between member states.