9. After Article 55A insert—
55B.—(1) A Health and Social Services Board may recognise a committee formed for its area, or for its area and that of one or more other Health and Social Services Boards, which it is satisfied is representative of—
(a)the persons to whom paragraph (2) applies; and
(b)the persons to whom paragraph (3) applies.
(2) This paragraph applies to—
(a)every medical practitioner who, under a general medical services contract entered into by him, is providing primary medical services in the area for which the committee is formed; and
(b)every medical practitioner who is providing general ophthalmic services in that area.
(3) This paragraph applies to every other medical practitioner—
(a)who is performing primary medical services in the area for which the committee is formed;
(i)pursuant to Article 56(2)(a);
(ii)in accordance with Article 15B arrangements; or
(iii)under a general medical services contract; and
(b)who has notified the Health and Social Services Board that he wishes to be represented by the committee (and has not notified it that he wishes to cease to be so represented).
(4) A committee recognised under this Article shall be called the Local Medical Committee for the area for which it is formed.
(5) Any such committee may delegate any of its functions, with or without restrictions or conditions, to sub-committees composed of members of that committee.
(6) Regulations may require a Health and Social Services Board, in the exercise of its functions relating to primary medical services, to consult any committee recognised by it under this Article on such occasions and to such extent as may be prescribed.
(7) A committee recognised under this Article shall have such other functions as may be prescribed.
(8) A committee recognised under this Article shall in respect of each year determine—
(a)the amount of its administrative expenses for that year attributable to persons of whom it is representative under paragraph (1)(a); and
(b)the amount of its administrative expenses for that year attributable to persons of whom it is representative under paragraph (1)(b).
(9) A Health and Social Services Board may—
(a)on the request of a committee recognised by it, allot to that committee such sums for defraying the expenses referred to in paragraph (8)(a) as it may determine; and
(b)deduct the amount of such sums from the remuneration of persons of whom it is representative under paragraph (1)(a) under the general medical services contracts, or arrangements under Article 62, entered into by them with the Board.
(10) A committee recognised under this Article shall apportion the amount determined by it under paragraph (8)(b) among the persons of whom it is representative under paragraph (1)(b); and each such person shall pay in accordance with the committee’s directions the amount so apportioned to him.
(11) References in this Article to the administrative expenses of a committee include the travelling and subsistence allowances payable to its members.”.