John Dolan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Dr. Boylan also spoke about the consequences of getting the diagnosis wrong.

Listening to Dr. John O'Brien I began to very much appreciate my family doctor. He indicated that some 60% of GPs have closed their lists and spoke of a "demographic cliff", which is an arresting phrase. He said, in response to Deputy Kelly, that he is concerned about GP services' capacity to deliver by 1 January. What is the knock-on effect if the GP side does not hold up on day one, which we all hope will not happen? What problem will land in our laps by the middle or the end of January?

The issues of the dispersal of population and living patterns in Ireland have been set out by others. Let us not forget that in cities and big conurbations there are people who are very isolated in their community. On the pattern of general practitioner services, there is an inverse relationship between critical need and the supply of services, with fewer general practitioners in poorer areas and more services in well-off areas.