James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

Most of the big food chains have responded with regard to posting calorie information. I congratulate those contributing to debate on this issue in a progressive fashion and I look forward to meeting them in the not too distant future. Those who have responded include McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken and others. People are entitled to make informed decisions. If they do not know the calorie content of what they are eating, they are not in the position to make that decision and are only guessing at the calorie content. The information needs to be posted. I commend McDonald's on starting to do that.

The responses of the various food chains will inform the debate and we also intend to bring in a voluntary code. However, if people do not adhere to the code and it does not prove fruitful, we will legislate. We are entitled to protect the well-being of our children and have a duty of care to do so. Equally, citizens are entitled to know what they are eating. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland will help establishments with the work. We do not expect small cafes to have the resources to measure the calorie content of everything they produce and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland will have a major role in doing that. We will be realistic about this. It is tough enough in business without putting additional costs on people. However, posting the calorie content of the food along with the price is not too much to ask.

On the question of an obesity czar, that is something we are considering. An interdepartmental group is working on this and we may look at Deputy Buttimer's suggestion to appoint a well-known person to this role.

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