asked the Minister for Health, in view of the fact that approximately only 40 per cent of doctors in the general medical service voted to accept the new contract which his Department is finalising at present and that a very large proportion of doctors in the scheme are opposed to it, if he intends to breach the existing contracts of those doctors who refuse to sign the new contract.
Written Answers. - GMS New Contract.
21.
Following a lengthy series of discussions on possible changes in the arrangements for general practitioners participating in the GMS, which were initiated at the request of the IMO, the Chairman of the negotiating group, Mr. John Horgan, recommended a set of proposals acceptable to both the negotiating parties.
In accepting Mr. Horgan's proposals, I consider them to represent a sound basis for the development of general practice and to enable it to fulfil its potential in meeting the health needs of the population.
The Irish Medical Organisation have informed my Department that, following a ballot of its members, the Horgan proposals have been accepted by a majority vote and have been endorsed by its council. The IMO is the recognised negotiating body on behalf of medical practitioners, including those participating in the GMS. The original GMS contract was negotiated with its predecessors, as were subsequent changes in the scheme. The new arrangements have therefore been properly negotiated and agreed and arrangements are being made to implement the agreed proposals by 1 January 1989.