Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's acknowledgement that this is a cross-departmental issue. He is right. It will require the enthusiastic involvement of the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Education and Skills, Children and Youth Affairs and, as the Minister mentioned, Justice and Equality. Is there cross-departmental engagement in a structured co-ordinated way as the Minister suggests is necessary?

With regard to the points commended to us by the experts at Temple Street hospital and the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute, will the Minister give serious consideration to the appointment of a national post for obesity management? It is in the context of prevention rather than a fire-brigade reaction to situations that have gone far too wrong. We need prevention, and the appointment of such a post would be of huge importance. Is the Minister seriously commending to colleagues an increase in tax on sugary foods and fizzy drinks?

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