Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Howlin asked about the GP contract. Of course, we have to get the facts of the matter. The Deputy should know as a former Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that we cannot make up figures or pull them out of the air. We have to drill down and get to the actual numbers and then bring them to the Minister and the Cabinet. We need to get to the facts. As I said in my previous answer, intensive engagement began in October and continued right up until the weeks before Christmas. There are a number of outstanding issues. The engagement will resume shortly and we hope conclude shortly thereafter because of the important role GPs are playing in terms of the future delivery of health services.

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