Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. My first question is for Mr. Chris Macey of the Irish Heart Foundation. We are all aware of the obesity crisis in Ireland. As he stated, 61% of adults are obese or overweight. He believes the over-consumption of processed foods and sugar-sweetened drinks are the main contributors. If tax on sugar-sweetened drinks were increased by 20%, he maintains it would generate €60 million. We charge the standard VAT rate of 23% for the unhealthy food. What is the best way to spend this money to combat obesity and overweight? I am working on the committee's report on obesity, which we will present to the Dáil in the next couple of weeks.

My second question is to Ms Kathleen O'Meara of the Irish Cancer Society. I do not smoke, and the main reason is because of my father. I lived at home for 25 years and all I can remember of my father is the constant cough every morning. I agree that smoking-related illness costs an estimated €2 billion per year and the tax revenue from that industry does not meet the care of these people. My main concern is the damage cancer can do. How can we stop young people and pregnant women from smoking? What suggestions does Ms O'Meara have if finance were made available to combat the effects of tobacco addiction?