Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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I will be a small bit parochial to illustrate a broader issue. In this instance, I am sure the Chairman will not object because I believe he shares the concerns I have. Fingal County Council has an objective regarding the location of fast-food outlets. I fully accept the point that was made earlier about local shops being turned into what are effectively fast-food outlets. What is the difference between a chip and a wedge? The lines get blurred. Aggressive marketing techniques are employed by fast-food outlets. Fingal County Council has an objective. It has put its own flavour on that objective, which can be overlooked.

The Chairman will be more than acutely aware of an issue in Skerries because I am sure he has been involved just as I have. In that case, objections have been lodged against the location of a fast-food outlet. In the context of A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the obesity action plan, and, notwithstanding what was said about cycleways, this is right beside a school. While the objectives are included in the local development plan, they can be ignored. There does not seem to be any push to develop more stringent guidelines. There does not seem to be any focus on ensuring that objective becomes a reality. We can talk about things that we might be able to do into the future, things that cost a huge amount to build, and whether to use a compulsory purchase order. The building of cycleways is extremely important but, in the intervening time, while we await the funding for cycleways and a decision on a compulsory purchase order, the objectives are still being bypassed. This happened in Wicklow, Fingal and other areas as well. If there is an objective in the local development plan, how can we ensure it is implemented, particularly where it relates to the siting of fast-food outlets and drive-through outlets within close proximity of schools? The example I have given is also on a dangerous bend but I will not get into that in the context of the obesity strategy. It is right beside a school. Fingal County Council has objectives under the Healthy Ireland plan. It says all the right things but how can we make sure that translates into practical action? How can we ensure, as a community, that the proposals reflected in the local development plan are turned into reality for the kids who are in the school?