Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We would certainly like to see the proposals at some stage. In the broader context, it is incredible that the Minister has not sat down and discussed how the roll-out would work.

Even if the policy decision relates to long-term illness or if the cohort involved is based on age, the reality is that the people who will be responsible for implementing the actual policy will be GPs. What will happen is that the Government will hopefully make a decision at some stage and it will then enter into major discussions with GPs during the following six to 12 months in the interests of having that decision implemented. We are aware of one fact, namely, that the Government is committed to introducing free GP care for everybody by 2016. In the meantime, the Minister of State should be discussing this issue with GPs and putting in place the necessary supports to allow them to deliver on whatever decision is made.

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