Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I applaud safefood Ireland on its education initiatives. "Operation Transformation" has been a huge success.

Have the witnesses done any research on the impact of ICT, especially gaming, on young people at home? It has obviously helped fuel the obesity crisis we have compared with a decade or so ago.

The quality of food in many canteens can be lacking. Have the witnesses any research on the impact of this? Many schools are now very aware and we have made huge inroads in ensuring the food is healthy. We have talked about the sugar tax, which is an issue, but where do we stand with vending machines in schools? We have heard many anecdotes about people being against them. It is a bit like Deputy Ferris's issue regarding fast food outlets near schools.

I lost about two stone myself and, from a community point of view, I spent about six months explaining to people that I was not sick. There was huge peer pressure. I know one lady whose goal in life is to put on an extra two stone. I feel much better. I went down two clothes sizes and one incentive for me was buying new suits and so on. We have this conservation grant and everything comes back to pounds, shillings and pence. Is there any incentive we can give, such as a voucher system such that if someone loses two or three pounds, they could get a One4All voucher or some other kind of voucher? I know it is very controversial, but could any incentive be offered?

A lot of good work has been done, but unfortunately we are failing. More young people are becoming obese. In the past ten to 15 years we increased by ten pounds on average. It will put major pressure on our health system from the point of view of finances and resources. People ask whether we are mad. There is no silver bullet, but there needs to be some incentive. I look forward to hearing the views of the witnesses.

I refer to the recommendations from members. We would welcome the witnesses coming back with recommendations for the committee which we could pass up the line. I look forward to the responses.