Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Every single one of the witnesses looks amazing. It is probably one of the better presentations I have heard, and one of the most interesting. We can see the results in front of us. Reference was made to a seven-point plan, which clearly works. We have evidence of it sitting in front of us as well.

When I was younger children played outside all day. The television was not put on until 6 o'clock in the evening, and there were no video games. There was not a lot of money and many mothers worked in the home. In general, when one came home from school the dinner was meat, two vegetables and potatoes. There were no fizzy drinks. Biscuits were a treat perhaps once a week. Cake was for birthdays or an occasional treat. There were very few fast-food outlets. People did not have a lot of money. Fast food and ready meals were not available. Our lifestyles have changed and everything has shifted. People went out to work and time became important. People were doing shift work and unsocial hours.

Fast food such as pizza was always the best option for parents rushing to work, but we must reverse that, and the only way we can do it is by working collectively through education. We must start in schools by educating the children, and the children will then educate their parents. Those children who are now educated will become parents and therefore we can reverse the cycle.

I agree with everything in the representatives' five point plan. The Count Me In initiative is essential. If there were calorie counts on a menu I was reading I would think twice about what to order, and I believe many people would do the same. Having fruit at supermarket checkouts is essential. The Step it Up programme is essential, but we must make it fun for people to participate because not every child is interested in sports.

I take on board what Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor said about weighing in at school. We must take account of children's feelings because if it is not done sensitively, they could be bullied. We must view it that way.

We have to address the problem of childhood and adult obesity. We have an opportunity to address it collectively and perhaps bring forward legislation that will give people a chance. Most of the points were covered but I want to say "Well done". The representatives should keep the issue in the public domain because educating the public is vital. It is the only way we can combat this issue.