Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On healthy eating, one issue that could apply in areas of lower socioeconomic areas is a lack of access to food outlets. People may not necessarily have the choice. For instance, I have come across shops in particular areas that will not sell fruit. The reason, they say, is that there is not a market for it. That is one of the problems that can exist as well.

As a result, if people living in the immediate area do not normally travel outside the area to shop, they are immediately denied access to something very important – fresh fruit. Can we introduce legislation insisting that outlets having a certain product for sale? That would be very difficult.

The Senator spoke about co-ordination between social welfare and the Department of Health.