Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am absolutely shocked to find the lack of embracing of modern technology. I am a politician. I have 30,000 emails and the phone is on 24 hours a day. I do not have the same engagement but every practice and every professional has to upskill. I am shocked at such a simple issue. Anybody can phone me, 24 hours a day. I do not mind. I feel that if GPs are not prepared to upskill with modern technology, it is a huge reflection on general practice. The witnesses can answer me in a minute, but we are talking about the deprived. To me, the new deprived people are middle Ireland. I was at a doctor last week and the waiting room was full. It cost me €45, which I do not mind although I wish I had a medical card. It cost me €45 but it is the same for mothers, although thankfully there is no cost for children under six. I feel that middle Ireland is the new deprived.

To me, primary care has been an issue. I take consolation in the fact that the witnesses mentioned Commonwealth countries. I believe we should embrace more Commonwealth countries. I find that twice as much is spent in Commonwealth countries. In the last ten years, we have embraced primary care centres. I see in my own town of Boyle that one is opening in January, as well as in Ballymote and Claremorris. It is the way forward and care has to be GP-led. There are not many areas around the country now in which we do not have a primary care GP-led centre. Do the witnesses have a view that we should do more?

We are talking about mental health, which has become a political issue. If we were in Opposition, we would probably use it as well. We need more GPs to come out and say what is right with the system. Sometimes, we are happy when we are miserable. My involvement with the health care sector has been absolutely wonderful, including at my local GP. We sometimes need to stand back and have people such as the witnesses, as honest, independent, professional health care providers, to articulate what is good. Unfortunately, that does not sell newspapers. If something is wrong, we absolutely have to deal with it but the witnesses are in a position to speak. People sometimes do not believe politicians but doctors have the trust of the general public. What is happening here today is wonderful.

Sometimes, we need to articulate what is positive.