I concur with the comments of the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, in extending our sympathies to the family of the late Paddy Cooney in Athlone. He served the people of Longford-Westmeath with distinction for decades.

I also want to query an issue with GP contracts. I want to get a commitment that where new GP contracts are offered for tender, those who win the tenders commit to maintaining the existing surgeries that are in place. We have seen circumstances where a contract was taken on and a surgery was closed down six months later, leaving people having to travel up to ten miles in some cases. There is one case in my home county of Longford concerning a surgery in Lanesborough. I need a commitment that whoever wins the contract, a doctor will be in place to attend that surgery. The contract is currently up for tender. I am seeking a commitment that the contract will be kept in place and that should an attempt be made to close the outreach surgery, the contract will be terminated and offered up again.

I understand the Deputy's concern with regard to rural GP practices. It is an issue for all of us who represent rural areas. On the specifics of this issue, I will have the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who, unfortunately, is unable to be with us this week, revert to the Deputy directly with a specific response.