Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I remind members and delegates to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode for the duration of the meeting because they interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for the parliamentary reporters to cover the proceedings of the meeting and adversely affect the television coverage and web streaming.

The purpose of this section of the meeting is to engage on the issue of tackling obesity and the promotion of healthy eating in schools. Various studies have shown that people in Ireland are set to be among the most obese in Europe. It is estimated that the cost of adult obesity to Irish society exceeds €1 million per annum. There is no doubt that overweight children are more likely to become obese adults. However, schools can play a vital role in improving youth health, promoting healthy lifestyles and tackling obesity before the problem becomes established in later life. Schools are in a unique position to have a major and positive impact on the levels of obesity through education on healthy lifestyles, healthy eating and nutrition and the provision of physical education. This is an issue in which many Departments are involved, but the Department of Education and Skills has a big role to play, as does the Department of Health. It is good to see the focus being placed across a number of Departments in tackling childhood obesity and trying to make sure we all adopt better habits.

I acknowledge a number of people to whom I spoke over the weekend in getting ready for this meeting and carrying out some research. They include Ms Kathleen Gardiner, Ms Gillian O'Loughlin and Ms Louise Reynolds of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute. Because we will hear from a number of experts in the field we decided to break the session into two groupings on a thematic basis. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome the following delegates in group one: Ms Claire Heneghan, B.Ed, MSc. in exercise and nutrition science; Mr. Kevin Creery, Mr. Liam McCorry and Mr. Damien Mitchell from Healthy Kidz; Mr. Eddie Ward, principal officer, teacher education section; Ms Rita Sexton and Ms Clare Griffin, primary inspector, from the Department of Education and Skills; Mr. Mike Neary from Bord Bia; and Dr. Celine Murrin and Dr. Silvia Bel-Serrat from UCD.

We also have Mr. Mike Neary from Bord Bia and Dr. Celine Murrin and Dr. Silvia Bel-Serrat from UCD. I thank all the witnesses for their submissions. They are very welcome. I ask them to limit their oral submission to five minutes. If they wish, witnesses from the same delegation can share time.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the Chair to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Any opening statements provided to the committee will be published on the committee website after the meeting. I advise members of the same. I invite Ms Heneghan to make her opening statement. She has five minutes.