John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Going back to the GP issue, I agree that the independent contract model has worked very well. The problem we have, however, is that there are increasing numbers of areas where GPs are retiring and there is no prospect of getting a replacement. I dealt with a situation in my home town of Ballyheigue a number of years ago where a GP emigrated and we had an extensive battle to get somebody to take on a very attractive GP practice. On the Iveragh Peninsula in the Caherciveen-Waterville area, there were seven GPs a decade ago. At Christmas this year, the GP in Waterville will retire because he is 72 and there will then be two GPs. I have made requests and tabled parliamentary questions repeatedly and have received the standard reply that the practices are being advertised. There is a real problem.

The new contract may solve it but I suspect there is a need for a HSE-led type of contract to facilitate places where an independent contractor just will not go. I compliment the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, on its presentation and 14 recommendations. It is welcome to see the solution coming from those working in the area. However, if we need 2,000 extra GPs, the current model, good and all as it may be where it works, will not suffice. Every time the committee refers to GP's salary or some iteration of it, we do not get any buy-in.