Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 13 June 2018

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs

Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion (Resumed)

9:30 am

Mr. Colin Regan:

What specifically is classified as confectionery? It is a challenging space because there is a time within club functions, which we have all the time, where it is more than appropriate to provide some confectionery, for example at Christmas gatherings or celebrations. If one has a black and white policy it is a challenge to deal with that. We prefer to show leadership in what is expected in this space. We came to a tipping point with the alcohol issue. We were supporting clubs in adopting policies themselves and encouraging them to do so. We then actually put it into the rules in terms of juvenile activities. It should have been a rule anyway, but there is now zero sponsorship of juvenile teams, gear, equipment or competitions by alcohol companies permitted. Once we work with our members in order to let them know why we are working towards a goal, we will see general understanding and support for it and will reach a tipping point naturally at which the clubs themselves take ownership of it.