Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Etherton. I have two more brief questions. First, the research Bainne Beatha has done is excellent. It is a really good report and I thank the witnesses for sending it to the committee. Turning to the wider context of academic research, what added value does an informal project undertaken by Bainne Beatha, Cuidiú or any of the other support groups provide to the formal health system? My second question concerns the issue of formula. To what extent do the witnesses think that commercial interests are having a bearing on policy in this regard? I refer not only to breastfeeding in Ireland, but also in other countries, where there may be a commercial interest in the export of formula.