Rónán Mullen (Independent)

People will be familiar with the old phrase, "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts". In recent times, we have come to realise the importance of being beware of Greeks seeking gifts. One gift from Greece, however, is that its experience is concentrating many people's minds in this country about the impact of unrealistic public expenditure. That is reflected in the trade unions coming to see the value of the Croke Park agreement, a matter on which I hope the House will have a debate.

I welcome the movement from the Public Service Executive Union, PSEU. I hope the reassurances around teachers' holidays and the length of the teaching day will bring the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland, ASTI, on board as well. I call on the Labour Party to give leadership on this issue. Its leader, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, has welcomed the Croke Park agreement but it is not enough for him to say he is not going to tell the trade unions how to vote. That could be code for sitting on the fence and we only get splinters when we do that. It is the job of people in politics to give leadership. Good leadership on this issue points away from the populist approach and towards encouraging people to accept this important deal.

I again call for a debate on the Government's cardiovascular policy and stroke care implementation plan. The journalist, Paddy Clancy, spoke on "Morning Ireland" of his good fortune and recovery after having a stroke. The Health Service Executive said 20% of patients could benefit from thrombolysis, a clot-busting treatment which can have miraculous effects in preventing death and disability from stroke. However, only 2% of patients receive it. Every 45 minutes one person suffers a stroke and it is the largest cause of acquired disability affecting up to 30,000 people.