Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I thank the delegation for being here this morning. In reply to Dr. Murphy, we identified that this country had an issue with childhood obesity. We commissioned a report and held a series of meetings. Deputy Fitzpatrick is the rapporteur in respect of the report, which will be presented to the committee. The first step for us was to hold the hearings. The second was to invite the delegation to appear before us to recognise that what it is doing is not just connecting with the five leaders, but with the country and to raise awareness because it is critical. There is a recognition that there needs to be a cross-sectoral and multifaceted approach not just to childhood obesity, but obesity in general. The delegation will find that when we present our report, we will take further action and write to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission regarding calorie counting here and see if we can move on that.

It is important to note that the story today is about the five leaders in particular, what they have done and who they represent. I also thank safefood for the work it does. I know it is involved in the programme but it also has been involved with us. I thank the delegation for appearing before the committee.