Ms Sinéad Keenan:

I missed one point from Deputy Conaghan on school food programmes in other countries. In Europe many countries have national schools food programmes. We have heard of the delights of France and Italy. They are at the top of the scale, but we also mentioned the United Kingdom earlier. All children in primary education in Wales are entitled to a free school breakfast. That touches on the universal aspect of it. All preschool meals are provided to every child in Sweden. Finland spends 8% of the entire education budget on food because those responsible see the impact on education, social and health outcomes.

I am keen to pick up on another point made by Deputy Byrne on the importance of an early start. I heard a short story about a school garden. The children came home to their mother with a cabbage they had grown in the garden. They had heard about the importance of cabbage for their health and wanted the cabbage cooked that night - they could not wait any longer. They also wanted to drink the water the cabbage was cooked in, because they had heard about the iron content. With an early start, all of this has an impact.

I am keen to touch on the point about planning. This should and must be considered by a national food-in-schools forum. We know about the case in Greystones of planning being granted for a fast food restaurant beside three schools. Thankfully, it was overturned. That point should be considered as well.