Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the publication of the report by the task force on obesity. It is relevant to the issue of type 2 diabetes, which I have raised in this House on a number of occasions. A consultant in a medical clinic in the midlands has 3,000 patients who suffer from diabetes. This figure represents cases of which we are aware. What about the many thousands about whom we do not know? This condition rivals cancer as one of the greatest killers of our people. Early detection is important but it will have an adverse impact on the health service. I call for a general screening to ascertain the number of people with type 2 diabetes, a very serious condition which must be tackled head on.