Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to facilitate that request.

Senator Nash raised the problems with illness benefit payments. My own office has had several cases where people have had issues with the payment of illness benefit. It is a matter on which I am happy to ask the Minister to attend the House.

Senator Swanick raised the issue of FEMPI. Today talks are taking place between the HSE, the Department and the medical unions. Central to healthcare reform under the overarching umbrella of Sláintecare is a new GP contract. We all recognise the centrality and the importance of primary care in our healthcare system.That is why today's talks at the beginning are welcome. Equally, I commend the Minister on reaching an agreement with the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform on new multi-annual budgeting for the provision of GP services. The Minister for Health has made the point that there are three prongs to the stool. One is increasing access to the existing GP primary care. The second is disease management and the third is to make existing GP practices sustainable, which is what we hope to do. I remind Senator Swanick that it was his own party, when in government, that introduced the FEMPI legislation. It was the Fine Gael-led Government that reduced FEMPI in the past number of budgets with a view to phasing it out completely.

I did not catch all of the names that Senator Craughwell read into the record of the House. I am happy to assist him in any way I can in ensuring that we honour and commemorate their service. I am happy to talk to him at a later date about the matter.