Dr. Tony Holohan:

I will not comment on the specific proposal other than to say the idea of mobilising the input of colleagues in general practice is, of course, good in the context of ongoing planning. I will take this opportunity to say the body of general practice has been a critical part of our response. In particular I will mention some of the individuals who have led the response in general practice, such as Mary Favier and Nuala O'Connor. There are plenty of other individuals I could identify, including those who established and lead the GP buddy system. Our GP community in this country has been exceptional in how it has stood up. The public has seen this in the enormous volume of vaccinations GPs were able to get through, in particular stepping up with the booster campaign in the weeks running into Christmas. We have seen it all the way through in how GPs have dealt with being on the front line of the response. I am, of course, fully in favour of anything at all that in principle would facilitate constructive input and dialogue with general practice as a key component of the healthcare system.