The Health Minister says the new deal for free GP care for the over 70s and under sixes is the first step towards universal health care.

In his address to delegates, he admitted it won't be easy to convince all doctors to sign up for the free GP care scheme for under sixes.

Varadkar said means testing can result in some of society's most vulnerable slipping through the cracks.

Leo Varadkar also spoke out against the idea that free GP care schemes should means or sickness tested, and said such assessments always lead to injustices and inefficiencies:

Minister Varadkar thanked the IMO for backing the new GP care scheme:

He also said he wanted to see a further expansion of GP care to other school-going children.

Minister Varadkar also says that the Health Service has suffered greatly as a result of cuts to funding which is down of €1bn from peak levels:

Originally posted at 14.14