Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. They mentioned the school programmes and I would be interested to hear their opinion on introducing a school programme - similar to the programme under which a green flag being is awarded to environmentally friendly schools - under which recognition would be awarded to schools that are health conscious from the point of view of promoting healthy eating as well as exercise. The witnesses might also give their opinions on the introduction of a sugar tax or junk food tax. Would they consider that to be beneficial? The money collected from it could be ring-fenced for the promotion of healthy eating.

This problem is prevalent in low income families, lone parents and disadvantaged families, and people are facing cutbacks in terms of their discretionary spend, be they in the area of social welfare with the proposed cutback in children's allowance or other areas. What are the witnesses' opinions on how this problem can be counteracted? There is a perception that it is more expensive to eat healthily than it is to eat junk food which, in that way at least, one can afford to feed one's children. Unfortunately, in the current climate, sometimes people have no choice but to buy cheap food because it is better than no food and people do not have the money to buy proper food.