Rónán Mullen (Independent)

There is no point whingeing about aspects of the budget. It is like trying to change the weather in this country. However, it must be said that there are aspects of the budget that are profoundly regrettable. We knew what would happen with child benefit but that is no consolation. The cut in child benefit is inappropriate and redolent of the attack on families by the Government through the introduction of tax individualisation a number of years ago. Child benefit is the way in which the State recognises the contribution made to society by families with children. It is regrettable that it was targeted in this way. However, I am glad the Minister has, in general, stuck to his guns and stayed with the project of making the necessary cuts in expenditure to get the economy back on track.

It used to be the case that stroke was a death sentence. It is now one of the most treatable events, although unfortunately not in Ireland. Stroke care in Ireland is very poor and people are dying or being incapacitated needlessly. In an ideal world approximately 20% of people would receive thrombolysis after a stroke but the figure in Ireland is as low as 2%. It is 1% in Cork. This is not a matter for yesterday's budget but for the HSE. It must take this issue seriously. I am concerned that, since strokes bring about disability and it is often the elderly who are affected by them, they are the lobby least able to voice their concerns. It is important we re-engage with the issue of stroke care and that the HSE does the necessary work to structure properly equipped, furnished, resourced and manned units to ensure adequate stroke care.