Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Circulars on the promotion of commercial products have been issued by the Department since the early 1980s. One addressed the promotion and marketing of commercial products throughout schools and asked boards of management to be careful in this regard. My Department met the INTO prior to this matter arising and discussed in detail the need to consider guidelines for schools, particularly for commercial schemes. Many bodies are cashing in on this. We do not wish schools to feel under pressure to participate in such a scheme. In working with the INTO we indicated we may revise the guidelines before the next school year.

See this speech in context