Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, absolutely, if that is what is required and if that ultimately leads to better care for patients. I do not think we should rule anything out. In terms of the trainees, as I said we are up to 233 this year. Real progress has been made, which is very encouraging. There have been changes. Some of the changes include more flexible GMS contracts, sharing of GMS contracts and GPs allowed to hold GMS contracts for longer, now up to their 72nd birthday. More supports for rural GPs are being rolled out this year, including maternity and paternity leave arrangements, as well as supports for GPs in urban areas such as increased GP access to diagnostics, which has been received very well by GPs.

Ultimately, the question for us all is whether there is an argument for thinking about a new GP contract. We know the old GP contract was put in place 40 years ago, or something like that.

See this speech in context