The Irish Medical Organisation has warned that the Government's plan to introduce free GP care for all children under six by the middle of this year is 'unachievable'.

The warning came as the Government sought to break the deadlock with GP groups over the introduction of the scheme.

The Government has now approved the text of the legislation to introduce free GP care for the under sixes.

However, GP organisations are up in arms about the proposals, and there is considerable doubt over whether the majority of family doctors will implement the new scheme.

The IMO said today it was contemptuous of the Government to approve the legislation without having entered into detailed discussions with GPs on its implications.

The doctors' union said it was extremely sceptical as to the sustainability of the proposals.

"GPs have made it very clear that they will not be forced to sign a contract that has not been negotiated and which will fundamentally undermine the doctor-patient relationship, "IMO GP Chairman Dr Ray Walley said.

GP groups are angry with the Government's contention that it cannot, under competition law, negotiate directly on fee levels to be paid under the new scheme.

They are also angry at a draft contract for the new scheme produced by the Department of Health more than two months ago, which they claim is unworkable.

Minister for Primary Care Alex White, announcing the approval of the new legislation, said he was again contacting the IMO 'with a new proposal for initiating talks' and he looked forward to hearing the union's response.

Dr Walley said the IMO would consider this proposal, but any new talks at this stage would not be a negotiating meeting but 'a meeting to discuss how real negotiations can take place'.

Minister White is due to address the IMO's AGM in Co Kildare at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the other main GP body, the ICGP, said today that the Government should not proceed with its plan to introduce the under sixes scheme until key decisions on universal healthcare are made.

The third GP representative body, the NAGP, pointed out that no negotiations have yet taken place on the specifics of the under sixes free GP care scheme, and stressed that the Government was refusing to discuss resourcing the scheme.

The Government says the under sixes plan is the first step towards introducing free GP care for the entire population.