Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their eye-opening and informative contributions. Some of the statistics on childhood obesity are startling. I ask Dr. Campbell to clarify that the €1.13 billion is the cost to the State of childhood obesity. It is very hard to argue with the statistics the witnesses have presented to us on how the targeted digital marketing of junk food impacts children's mental and physical health. Are the witnesses seeking an outright ban on the digital marketing of junk food for all age cohorts or would they suggest limiting it to a certain age group?

My next question is for the ASAI and other witnesses can jump in if they wish. Influencers have a great way of earning a living, living a great life and sharing it with the world. If people are interested that is fantastic. When influencers have a certain following, there are opportunities to advertise, which is also great. Does Ms Twomey believe we have enough regulation over the advertising techniques employed by influencers? What I mean is that the people doing an advertising post need to use the hashtag #ad or on Facebook it may say "sponsored".

Quite often filters are used to portray a certain look or to look a certain way. Given that some influencers have more than 50,000 followers, it can have quite an impact, particularly on young people. When a filter is used, it may portray a look that is not attainable in real life. Is there any regulation on that at the moment? If not, should we have regulation for it? If someone is using a filter in an image, even though they may not be sponsoring a particular product, should they be required to declare that they have used a filter?