Mr. Geoffrey Browne:

I can go back further than that to Pac-Man and Asteroids and such games. They were more sedentary. I have no information on any particular studies. My background is in computer science. Perhaps we are partially to blame for introducing all this technology.

From my knowledge of technology there is no reason what we refer to as the old Wii technology could not be deployed nowadays. Given the advance of artificial intelligence and correct use of heuristics and so on, I foresee no technical limitation. I have observed my children at home. They range from eight to 18 years of age - I have three in between those brackets. They sit and talk to their friends using the technology but they are not active while using it. The only parts getting exercise are their thumbs and perhaps their index fingers. Ironically, all the technology includes apps to measure how many steps a person walks in a day, yet they are almost part of the cause of our difficulties and lack of physical exercise.

I am not aware of the studies Deputy Neville asked about. September will see the introduction of computer science as a senior cycle elective subject. Part of the curriculum includes artificial intelligence and the impact technology has on society as a whole. There is more money to be made by technology companies in having us sitting rather than exercising. However, I can certainly say that technically there should be no limitation on the idea.