Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a question on the vending machines for the Department of Education and Skills. Representatives of secondary schools and parents have told the committee that some schools are using vending machines to supplement income and it was an income stream for them. I was shocked and the Acting Chairman will bear me out. The witnesses have spoken about policy and everything else. Vending machines in schools should be banned unless they are dispensing water. We do not need vending machines selling sugared drinks. Ms O'Flaherty has just told us about the high levels of consumption among young people. We need to get real about it. The Department of Education and Skills should immediately issue a directive banning vending machines in schools.