Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before I bring in Senator Swanick and Deputies Durkan and O'Connell, will the Minister clarify whether he and his Department accept that the disproportionate application of the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation to GP fees has damaged general practice substantially? What plans does the HSE have to recruit GPs? GPs are contractors and therefore fall outside the normal employment structures. As they come to retire, there is very little engagement with them on how their practice will continue after they retire. I ask the Minister to address those two issues.