GP service legislation
Mattie McGrath raises delays and local opposition concerning EirGrid legislation and the Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill, especially the limited Tipperary uptake. The Taoiseach says the GP Bill is due for Report Stage the next day and that around 100 doctors a day are signing up.
Tá a lán ceisteanna agam don Taoiseach. One concerns the EirGrid legislation. There is considerable angst in the community over it. It has been postponed time and again. We never get any date for it because, as I have stated previously, dates have been changed on account of public hearings and public submissions.
Only two general practitioners in Tipperary have signed up under the health (general practitioner service) legislation. I can speak only for Tipperary. There is a considerable amount of intimidation and bullying and there are threats. Where are the under-sixes to go if they cannot go to the general practitioners who treat their families? This is farcical in the extreme. I hope the Taoiseach will, at this late stage, ask the Minister for Health to engage meaningfully with the doctors. The doctors provide front-line services, and there is enormous pressure.
Comment on this
The Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2015 is due to be taken on Report Stage tomorrow. My understanding is that about 100 general practitioners per day are signing up.