Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I must begin by expressing an interest in the cardiovascular area, because my uncle was a cardiovascular surgeon for many years and specialised in strokes. Not only can the stroke issue be solved, strokes can also be prevented. It is one of the most preventable conditions. I support the calls to drive it to the top of the health agenda.

The Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, was always very supportive of my campaigns for music therapy. This therapy has a capacity to bring back speech for some stroke victims, particularly if intervention occurs at an early stage. It is important the professionalisation of music therapy is recognised in Ireland, because we have the ability to qualify people in Limerick, but we are not giving them professional recognition. We need to promote that as part of the Vision for Change policy.

I support calls to bring the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport before the House. We should bring her in here on a separate day for a debate on culture. In the same week a cultural ambassador was appointed in America, we should be focused on the fact that the arts are fundamental to personal development and creative thinking. That is very useful for employers as it allows potential employees reach their potential. Culture and the arts are central to us as human beings and to our economy. Culture is as important as tourism, but I worry that if we brought the Minister before the House, we might just have an all-embracing debate. Her brief is too big for that, as there are three elements to it.