Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I can vouch that Deputy Doherty is prone to the odd can of Coke, as I am myself, unfortunately.

I oppose the amendment and support the initiative by the Government, not as a revenue-raising measure but principally as a public health measure and intervention. The effectiveness of the measure will not be measured by the amount of taxation it brings in for the State but rather by how it changes the offering of companies and the behaviour of consumers. Certainly, soft drinks suppliers are changing and diversifying their products. They were doing so even before the introduction of this tax. In that respect, it has already made a contribution as a public health measure. The effects of this tax are largely unknown. It would be wrong to overstate the importance or likely consequences.

It is easy to put more and more responsibility on schools and maintain that schools should be doing this or that. Schools have limited resources and are stretched. Their core function is one of education. The big issue in many schools in my area relates to overcrowding and schools awaiting new developments. These schools only have small yards and the children cannot even run in them. That is the reality in many schools in my area.

I welcome this initiative. Fianna Fáil supports it but we do not support the amendment.

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