187. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason an organisation (details supplied) is not included in negotiations on a new deal for general practitioners regarding the reversal of FEMPI and other matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7594/19]

The Government is committed to engaging with GP representatives on the development of modernised contractual arrangements.

Talks between the Department of Health, HSE and the IMO are ongoing. Historically, the IMO has been the main representative body for GPs and the only one involved in contractual processes. It negotiated the existing 1972 and 1989 GP contract arrangements with the Department of Health.

While some progress has been made in the current phase of talks, there are a number of outstanding issues that need to be addressed. The introduction of an other organisation into the process at this stage would likely prolong and complicate negotiations and may make an agreed outcome less likely.

Agreement on the delivery of a range of service improvements and contractual reforms has the potential to facilitate a very substantial increase in the resourcing of general practice on a multi-annual basis.