Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

The development of the new public health policy, which will be finalised in the middle of this year, will concentrate on the issue of lifestyle and the implications for a person's health and well-being. There will be an emphasis on getting across that message to young people in particular. This is not a matter just for the Department of Health; all other Departments need to play their parts, particularly in respect of education, where we have a captive audience in schools. That is where we must concentrate on getting the message out to young people.

I take the point with regard to having a personality leading this campaign to give the issue a profile although I do not know if there is a possibility of having a czar. The personality idea is a good one and I will take it up with the Minister for Health.

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