John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I begin by adding my voice to the expressions of congratulations to the task force for producing this timely and valuable report. Since the Government established the task force in March 2004, it has engaged in a detailed process to develop a strategy to halt the rise and reverse the prevalence of obesity in Ireland. This is a most worthwhile pursuit. Under the excellent chairmanship of Mr. John Treacy, the group has carried out a comprehensive and systematic consultation process and its work and this final report are to be commended. I would like to focus on three specific topics: the extent of the problem of obesity in Ireland, the impact and cost for our citizens and the challenge facing society.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the task force for setting out exactly the extent of the problem of obesity in society. None of us will be shocked to hear that the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased with worrying speed over the past 20 years. To hear it described by the World Health Organisation as a global epidemic, however, sets alarm bells ringing. I was astounded to hear the numbers of people who were obese worldwide — more than 300 million in the year 2000. There is a bizarre dichotomy in the world today where 800 million people will go to bed hungry but up to half the population of the United States will be obese by 2025 if current trends continue.

Not that we are in any position to look accusingly at the US. Obesity is now a major public health problem across Europe and in Ireland, where 39% of adults are overweight and 18% are obese. A finding that I find particularly worrying is that there is a higher incidence of the disease in lower socio-economic groups. I will mention the issue of personal responsibility later but the fact that people on lower incomes find it more difficult to eat healthily is a problem we need to look at closely.

The task force's conclusion that obesity has reached epidemic proportions in childhood has generated the greatest comment. Who would have believed, even seven or ten years ago, that body weight would be the most prevalent cause of childhood disease? Given the natural energy and vivaciousness of young children, it is difficult to comprehend estimates that the numbers of Irish children who are significantly overweight have trebled over the past decade.

An aspect of the issue which is not often discussed fully is that of prejudice and I am glad that the task force made salient points on this specific area. According to the report, "Being overweight today not only signals increased risk of medical problems but also exposes people to serious psycho-social problems due mainly to widespread prejudice against fat people". Worryingly, this prejudice against obese people, in the view of the task force, seems to border on the socially acceptable in Ireland. Prejudice is evident in surveys covering groups such as employers, teachers, medical and healthcare personnel and the media. It is to be found among adolescents and children, even the very young. We heard last week of claims of ageism in certain sectors. How many of us consider this sad phenomenon in modern Irish society? Very few. The task force deserves congratulations for highlighting this issue.

Turning to broader health impacts, the findings are less surprising but still of concern. Obesity is associated with premature death, excessive morbidity and serious psycho-social problems. It negatively impacts the welfare of citizens in extremely serious ways. If one looked at the issue in a cold and calculating way, the task force set out that, using the accepted EU environmental cost benefit method, death from weight related illness alone may be costing the State as much as €4 billion per year. For these reasons, the report sees Government intervention as necessary and warranted. What is the Government to do in this regard? The findings of the national task force lead it to conclude that high-level Cabinet support will be necessary to implement the taskforce recommendations. Implementation must be through joined-up thinking and real practical engagement by the public and private sectors. Duplication of effort and cross-purpose approaches must be avoided while existing strategies and agencies must be fully utilised. The report states the range of Departments with roles to play is considerable and specifies the different contributions that each one can make.

I was heartened to hear the Taoiseach accept the report's central proposition that a fundamental policy drive at governmental level is required to develop a society that can enable people to eat healthily and partake in physical activity. I also welcome his assertion that the Government must take a leadership role in this area. There is also a realisation that the Government needs the support of the NGOs, communities, schools, health professionals and the food industry in achieving goals that will protect all generations from illness, psychological problems and premature death.

While I endorse and support such measures, the one important element, that of personal responsibility, must not be lost in this debate. While the topic is a sensitive one, there is no question that obesity is a result of a person's daily lifestyle choices. However, a particular onus of responsibility lies with parents regarding their children's lifestyle choices. As the primary educator, particularly in a child's formative years, parents must be conscious of how they allow their children to behave. This includes the child's eating habits and level of physical activity. The task force report refers to systematic reviews investigating the treatment of obesity and overweight conditions in children. These revealed, among other matters, that targeting parents and children together is most effective in treating obesity and overweight conditions in children. There is a need for programmes where parents take responsibility for behaviour change in the treatment of obesity and overweight conditions in primary schoolchildren.

In the case of adults, we cannot expect the State to intervene purely to replace personal or parental responsibility. The Taoiseach has acknowledged that the task force report presents the Government and other key stakeholders with major policy challenges but these are not insurmountable. The Government has now been provided with a clear set of guidelines. Each Department, State agency, school, family, the media, the food industry and health care professionals all have a role in tackling and curbing this worsening problem. Each of us as individuals must not abdicate our own personal responsibility for our own health and well-being and that of our children.