Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy, fundamentally, in terms of physical education in schools but the matter is outside the scope of the Finance Bill. The sugar tax is a new strategy and the Department of Health has requested that the tax be implemented.

We have some more information. Some matters in other jurisdictions have been assessed. There was an evaluation of the impact on consumption. The Mexican sugar sweetened drinks tax indicated that consumption fell in response to the tax and it fell more sharply for those people in low socio-economic groups. That is the type of information we have available to us.

The objective is not to get more money from people in lower socio-economic groups. The objective is to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks. In terms of cases where consumption has decreased, in the previous budget it was announced that a sugar tax would be implemented in this current budget. We ask that the provision is given a fair chance. We think the tax goes in the right direction but only time will tell.