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

I have made it very clear that what the Tánaiste did on the GP contract when he was Taoiseach in the last Government was not best practice. It was inappropriate and the wrong way to do things. I have said that and the Tánaiste has acknowledged that and has agreed to come to the House to address the issue and answer any questions that Members have on it.

The GP contract was a positive development and welcomed by all Members of the House. Members had been pushing for a conclusion to long negotiations around a new GP contract. It was welcome because it involved the reversal of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest, FEMPI, worth about €120 million and the chronic disease management programme at primary care level which was worth about €80 million. It was a deal which everyone welcomes. It received a lot of publicity at the time by all media outlets when it was announced by the IMO on 5 April. I have the IMO's press release here. It includes quite considerable detail on items including capitation fees, €2 million per annum investment in practices in deprived communities, chronic disease management, maternity and paternity payments for GPs including the contribution to locum costs. It is all there in the IMO press release from 5 April. On 6 April, the HSE announced the details of the deal and the Government did so. I understand Cabinet approved it on 9 April and then it went to IMO members. The essentials of the deal were out there. As I said yesterday, deals of this sort involving such a significant degree of public expenditure and improvements and investment in the health services, at community care and primary care levels, should be published as early as possible.

That is my view. As I said, the IMO had reached agreement with the Government in this matter.

Deputy McDonald made a comment that I refused to publish something. I would like her to withdraw that comment because I have not refused to publish anything. I will publish anything that is of relevance to this matter. I have asked my Secretary General to have a preliminary look at what is in my Department, following the Deputy's letter that arrived late yesterday evening. The only thing that has been found so far is a letter from Chris Goodey of the NAGP, dated 9 April, to the Department of the Taoiseach. The letter was sent to the then Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, on 5 April and was copied to the then Taoiseach and the then Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, Deputy Fleming. It relates to the NAGP's concern regarding the removal of medical cards from patients by the primary care reimbursement service. I can read out the letter if the Deputy wishes.

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