Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Mattie McGrath for sharing time. I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak on this important issue. It is safe to point out that we were all young once, even if some people got older quicker. In recent years, Fianna Fáil-led Governments have placed great emphasis on the role of young people in society, as evidenced in the establishment of the first Ombudsman for Children in 2004 and the Office of the Minister for Children in 2005 as well as the development and implementation of the national children's strategy. That a motion on young people is being discussed in the House is testament to the priority the Government attaches to the issue.

One cannot deny that we have experienced major economic and sociological changes. The society in which my two young daughters are growing up differs greatly from that in which I grew up. Although it offers many more opportunities, it also presents greater challenges. On a recent international flight I encountered a team of young Irish basketball players travelling to Hungary. At 15 or 16 years of age, my peers and I were fortunate to travel to County Kerry. While it is good that young people have greater opportunities and more freedom, they also face greater dangers and must shoulder much more responsibility. Helping them to cope with this sense of responsibility is the biggest challenge we face.

Society will always face challenges. Deputies referred to issues such as obesity, bullying, drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse and mental health problems. I urge the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Jimmy Devins, to continue to take a proactive approach in the area of mental health. I am particularly concerned with the difficulties we are experiencing in addressing eating disorders, which affect young people most. All Members have a responsibility to raise awareness of this problem and strive to address it.

Sexual health is another problem, as is the need to address the effects of technology such as the Internet and mobile telephones. While these can have positive impacts in terms of education, for example, the use of search engines such as Google, they can also have negative impacts, as is evident in the phenomenon of cyber-bullying.

One of the best ways to deal with many of the challenges facing young people is through physical activity and sports promotion. Being involved in sport helps young people to be physically and mentally healthy, while being on a team gives them a sense of belonging. It makes a big difference to take part in sport and be part of a team. They flower through the activity and relax and enjoy themselves. I know the Minister of State was hugely supportive of sport in his previous role. This must continue. Investment in sport is an investment in society and health. We must ensure we continue to develop sports facilities to meet the ever increasing need for them.

The biggest consultation of children, which took place through a ballot organised by the Ombudsman for Children, found that family and care emerged as the most important issues for them. Society may have changed in some ways since I was a child, but the importance of family and care remains central to both young people and society.

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