Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations.

The school programmes, Super Troopers and Food Dudes, are fantastic. I know them because I have three young children. I dread when the charts are brought home but my children love hanging them on the wall and keeping a writing record of their physical activity and healthy eating. However, one of my children is in sixth class and she finds the charts less relevant. We all know that older children in sixth class think they know it all and feel more grown up because they will soon head off to secondary schools. Can the programmes be updated for the older participants?

The Food Dudes programmes is fantastic. I have seen the excitement etched on my children's faces when they get their lunchboxes, etc. I agree with Deputy Funchion that when parents experience the scheme it leaves them more conscious of the types of food they give their children. I wish the organisers of both schemes the best of luck.

I have a few questions for Dr. McCrory. Can he explain why overweight parents are less likely to recognise when their children are overweight? I find that a strange suggestion. My weight has fluctuated but that has left me more conscious of the weight of my children. He said in his opening statement: "Women from lower SES backgrounds are 80% less likely to breastfeed." Why?

Dr. McCrory recommended that the Government implement a national screening programme. I know, as a parent, that sometimes children are conscious of their weight and they may already be anxious about their weight. Would a screening programme place greater pressure on children? I have noticed that my 12-year old daughter is very conscious of size and weight. Would a screening programme add to people's anxieties? How does Dr. McCrory envisage the scheme being rolled out?