GPs will be calling for a commitment from political parties to take politics out of running the health system for the next decade.

A document on the future of Primary Care in Ireland is being launched this morning.

A group of 14 organisations representing doctors and vested interest groups are involved in the plan.

A series of public meetings will also take place around the country.

Dr Yvonne Williams, Vice-President of the National Association of General Practitioners says the Free GP Care for Under 6s is having a huge impact on family doctors: “Some of the coop are reporting up to 60% increase in children under six attending.

“We have also seen an increase in some of the ED departments with children under six attending.

“And I don’t think that is because children under six have suddenly become more unwell.

“It is simply a reality that if something is free children do attend more. The knock on effect for other people is that they have to wait longer to see their GP sometimes until the next day.

“And some of those people will choose to visit an emergency department rather than wait.”