Dr. Cliodhna Foley-Nolan:

I will answer two points briefly. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin referred to the Stop the Spread campaign. There is a lull, which is a source of professional disappointment and we hope the matter will be sorted out as quickly as possible. The next phase we were planning was to work on increasing parents' awareness of childhood obesity. We started with adults because adult obesity is less contentious.

This brings us back to Senator Colm Burke's point. This is a delicate and sensitive issue and it is easy to see education and responsibility as the solutions. A person who has had a heart attack or a diagnosis of a serious illness will be much more amenable to lifestyle changes. No one wants to be told his or her beautiful eight year old or preschooler who is a little overweight has a health problem. This does not come easy for parents. We need to normalise the measuring of weight and waist sizes in order that it is not seen as a criticism or an insult. It should be the same as having a child's eyes checked.