Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to raise with the Taoiseach the amount of Government time that is being provided for a debate on the legislation governing general practitioners. I have put it to him previously that there is a genuine crisis in general practice across the country. GPs are meeting in huge numbers across the country. We are all receiving communications from them. Just two days ago, I received a communication from a GP who is emigrating because he or she finds it impossible to work productively, healthily or sustainably as a GP in this country's health service. I ask the Taoiseach to provide Government time for a comprehensive debate on the state of general practice.

Mass meetings are being held all over the country. Morale has never been lower. Young GPs in education are leaving and are not following through into this country. They are emigrating because they see no future for them in general practice. If the Taoiseach asks any of his own Deputies, or a Deputy from any other party in the House, they will confirm that there is a crisis among our GPs. It is not good for our health service. Regardless of whatever else one might say about our primary care system, at least it provides for people to get seen on the day they ask to be seen by a GP. There is a great deal of disquiet out there. It relates, for example, to the horrific contract that was put together by the Government to gag GPs and make life unbearable for them. I would like Government time to be allocated - perhaps next week - for a debate in this House on general practice and the future of GPs in this country.

I note that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has ruled out any inquiry into the murders that took place in Ballymurphy in 1971, or the establishment of an independent panel to look into the matter. I met the Ballymurphy families many times when I served as Minister for Foreign Affairs. I was always of the view that an independent panel would at least create some basis to get an official position on the record in relation to these horrific deaths. I am aware that the Taoiseach has been of a similar view. I suggest that this House should be given an opportunity to take an all-party approach to the issue, as it has done on other issues, with a view to making it clear that the Oireachtas believes such an independent panel should be established.

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