Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I would like to thank all the delegates. It was an interesting presentation and it is an interesting issue. The INDI has done super work in bringing this into the public domain. The evidence would show that no country has managed to reverse the trend of obesity. This is an international issue. I accept the delegates' point, but it is a European issue as far as Ireland is concerned.

I have a couple of specific points on funding. At this time of the year we start to get a lot of pre-budget submissions. Last year we received submissions from TASC and Social Justice Ireland, who suggested the introduction of a fat tax on certain products such as carbonated drinks. What is the view of the delegation on the introduction of such a tax? I ask them to comment on ring-fencing the proceeds of such a tax for the provision of services relating to childhood obesity, from the point of view of prevention and the administration of services for children who require clinical services.

I refer to the report of the INDI arising out of its proceedings in March relating to carbonated drinks and their availability in schools.