Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Thank you, Chairman. Dr. Donal O'Shea has spoken about the many difficulties that arise in tackling childhood obesity. I would not like to turn up at Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick's clinic unless I knew my weight was in the acceptable range. I have been on crash diets myself, starving myself to lose a pound or two. As an ex-school principal, I am aware that children are entering school already overweight. In fact, as Dr. Eldin said, increasing numbers of babies are born overweight. I will not say what weight my children were when they were born - suffice to say, they were huge babies. Such children are facing a battle from the very beginning. I agree with Deputy Catherine Byrne that it is a difficult problem for parents to tackle, especially if they do not have the money to purchase more expensive cuts of meat and so on.

I applaud the principal to whom Deputy Byrne referred who brought in apples and oranges for pupils. What is required, however, is a deeper engagement by schools which should begin with training for teachers on nutrition. There is a great deal of misleading labelling and misinformation on what is meant by "low fat" and other descriptors. This type of information must be included as part of teacher training so that it can then be incorporated into the curriculum. It is vital, of course, that any such initiative is implemented sensitively. We all know that overweight children are vulnerable to bullying. Teachers will be aware that they must not be seen, in imparting information to students, to be pointing their finger at the boy or girl whose weight is way beyond the healthy range. Visits by district nurses offer a good opportunity to educate parents regarding healthy eating.

Mr. Macey referred to the necessity of striking a balance between industry profitability and public health. The industry representatives made strong arguments and referred, for example, to the farmers who protested last week. The food produced in this country is of a very high nutritional quality. The problem arises when it undergoes processing and the sauce, salt and everything else is added. The challenges facing the industry must be set against the huge public health issue we are facing. Dr. Donal O'Shea has warned that there is a diabetes epidemic coming down the track which will cost millions, if not billions, of euro to address. That must be taken on board.

As Mr. Macey stated, there must be a balanced approach. As legislators, we must look at it in that light.

I thank our guests for their really interesting presentations. I am going to try to get fitter and eat more healthily.