Junior Health Minister Alex White has cast doubt on the Government's commitment to introduce free GP care for all by the end of its current term of office.

Minister White said this commitment had been 'quite an ambitious undertaking' and two years into office, it looked like 'an even more ambitious undertaking'.

However, he said the provision of free GP care for all remained the stated clear intention and policy commitment of the Government.

Minister White told Irish Medical News that changing from a medical card system based on financial need to one based on particular illnesses or conditions presented a genuine problem for the Government.

The Government is planning to introduce free GP care on a phased basis, starting with free care for those with long term illnesses, building up to a system where GP care would be free at the point of entry for the entire population.

However, legal difficulties have delayed considerably the implementation of the Government's plan.

Minister White, who is responsible for primary care services, admitted that legal challenges had arisen in relation to the free GP care extension commitment.