Consultant: Free GP care plan 'crazy stuff'

A hospital consultant has lashed out at James Reilly's plan for the future of the health service.

It follows the news yesterday that the department of health is to receive a financial bailout, after overspending by at least €400m this year.

Minister Reilly unveiled ambitious plans for the health service last week, including a target of providing free GP care for everyone in 2015.

Consultant Ophthalmologist at Dublin's Mater Hospital Michael O'Keeffe has said the money is not there to pay for such a scheme.

"This is pie in the sky, it's crazy stuff," he said.