GPs union urges Varadkar to conduct talks on 'unworkable' contract

The trade union representing Irish GPs says the new Health Minister needs to step up efforts to secure a deal on free GP care.

Leo Varadkar says he wants to focus on plans for free GP care before he looks at introducing a system of mandatory health insurance.

The Irish College of General Practitioners says it welcomes the new minister's moves to begin negotiations about how the system would work.

However, its president Dr Tony Cox says the scheme will never take off unless major talks are held.

Dr Cox said: "There are some discussions going on between the IMO and the Department of Health at the moment about that, but the draft contract that was brought out just contained so many impossibilities.

"GPs across the country, more than 90%, just could not sign that contract, it was an unworkable contract."