The legislation providing for free GP visits for every person aged over 70 is likely to be introduced in the autumn, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has said.

He said its introduction would be "subject to the policy advice'' of the new Minister for Health Leo Varadkar.

The Dáil is scheduled to adjourn tomorrow for the summer recess .

Mr Noonan was replying to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin on the Order of Business in the Dail today.

The new health provision was announced in the Dáil last week by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who had agreed the measure with Labour leader Joan Burton in the run-up to the ministerial reshuffle.

Outgoing Minister of State for Health Alex White later told the Oireachtas committee on health that that it would require legislation.