Donohoe’s dismissal of special deal for GPs

FINANCE Minister Paschal Donohoe has sharply dismissed attempts by Fine Gael TDs and senators to secure an alleged ‘special deal’ for GPs.

The Government is currently attempting to secure the support of GPs for its plans to implement an abortion regime if the Repeal the Eighth referendum is passed.

However, tensions with the GPs are high over the longterm failure to sign off on a new long-term contract for them. The doctors are also sharply split on whether they are prepared to provide an abortion-on-demand led service.

In an indication of these tensions, the finance minister reacted sharply to proposals by former Health Minister James Reilly, Senator Colm Burke and Senator Tim Lombard to allocate more resources to GPs.

Mr Burke told the Mail on Sunday: ‘Eighteen months ago, I said that negotiations on the GPs’ contract needed to be finalised as a matter of urgency.’

Mr Donohoe, however, reacted ‘furiously’ to any suggestion of ‘a special deal with the GPs’.

One source noted: ‘Paschal completely flipped the lid. He clearly warned the TDs and Senators that this was no way to conduct a deal. He certainly abandoned Mr Nice Guy Mode.’

A senior minister said: ‘Paschal really showed his teeth. We didn’t know he had any until this came up.’

The minister added that Mr Donohoe ‘is not for turning – abortion referendum or no referendum.

‘He gave the senators a right scolding; there was war.’