Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Seanad for giving its time and considerable experience to focus on this report. I had no difficulty listening to Senator Daly's contribution and found it quite interesting. There was a conference last week in Dublin regarding health promoting hospitals, which is a relatively new initiative and one that works extremely well. There is no reason it would not prove as successful in schools and the Senator outlined and quantified its success.

The Senators were generally very positive in receiving and welcoming the report and a number put forward their own suggestions as to how we might implement some of its recommendations in addition to making some of their own. Two Members raised particular issues. Senator Cox had some difficulty with part of the report but I cannot understand why. The problem of obesity is fairly complex and there is no easy, single solution that will achieve the desired success. A number of sectors are involved, including communities, NGOs, schools, parents and the food industry. We are seeking a combined effort that will bring all sectors together to work as a team in dealing with the problem. It is as simple as that.

Senator Ulick Burke quoted from the Taoiseach's contribution at the launch of the report last week when mention was made of banning vending machines from primary schools. The Taoiseach emphasised that he is not in favour of trying to bring in legislation or enforce new rules on people. He wants all stakeholders involved to engage, in a spirit of co-operation, as a team in addressing the issue.

Much work is required to stem this "epidemic", a term used by the World Health Organisation. People can acknowledge it as a worldwide epidemic which does not apply to Ireland. However, that is immaterial. The evidence shows we have a very serious problem on our hands.

I salute the great work carried out by the task force under the chair of Mr. John Treacy. The best way in which to thank him is to take immediate action and implement the report's recommendations. The report, which will hopefully have far-reaching, positive benefits, was prepared in a thoughtful and methodical manner. An extensive consultation process was undertaken and information was gathered and assessed from national and international policies, experience and evidence which ultimately culminated in a report based on the principle of equity, people-centredness, equality and accountability.

People have a fundamental right to choose to eat what they want and to be as active as they wish. However, that is not the issue. The national task force on obesity's report takes account of the many forces that actively impede change for those who are already aware of the consequences of overweight and obesity in terms of potential health and well-being for themselves and their families. While the main focus of the report is on prevention, it makes important recommendations in respect of treatment and detection, including the clinical management of overweight and obesity in both adults and children.

It is clear that halting the rise in levels of overweight and obesity presents a major challenge and this can only be met by a concerted effort by everyone to protect future generations from inevitable premature death, ill health, psycho-social problems and projected adverse economic costs. The report takes a practical, realistic and achievable approach to some fundamental issues. The principle of joined-up action is central and many of the recommendations can be implemented if Departments, NGOs and commercial enterprises give due regard to some of the guidelines contained in the report when preparing service plans, marketing and development programmes and implementing services. It is imperative, however, that the Government takes responsibility and ultimately a leadership role in tackling this substantial intricate challenge.

The report's 93 recommendations relate to actions across six broad sectors: high level Government; education; social and community; health food commodities; production and supply; and the physical environment. Many of the contributions of Senators were concerned about those sectors. The high level goals recommended by the task force set out a framework or roadmap of the way the issues identified by many Senators can be addressed.

The task force high level goals are that an integrated, consistent and proactive approach be taken across all Departments, agencies and public bodies in addressing the problem of overweight and obesity. It also recommends that the private sector should play an important role and acknowledge that it has a responsibility and will be proactive in addressing the issue of overweight and obesity and that the public and private sectors and the community and voluntary sectors should work in partnership to promote healthy eating and active living to address overweight and obesity. It also recommends that individuals should be personally empowered to tackle overweight and obesity and that sensitive interventions should be developed to support them.

This is a challenge for the Government, the private and public sectors and the commercial sector. As has been pointed out by a number of Senators, action is being taken in a number of areas and we should acknowledge that some schools have been forward thinking in the way they have dealt with the problem. They have encouraged healthy eating without overdoing it. We were all children and we know what it is like to enjoy sweets, snacks and drinks but it is important that is done in moderation. The schools have played a role in making children aware of the need for healthy eating. We depend on parents to educate their children but this is one area where the children can educate their parents about healthy eating when they come home from school. Senator O'Meara pointed out that many parents are not aware of the type of foods that are healthy for their children. Our challenge is to educate those parents and make them more aware of the importance of feeding their children properly.

Mention was made also of the need for physical activity. That is an issue we are examining. Senator Ulick Burke said that the lack of PE facilities in schools is preventing children partaking in physical activity. As a former teacher he recalled that the day most fondly remembered by his former students was the field trip in which they participated.

There are many excuses not to partake in physical activity, whether it is climbing mountains, walking in fields or on beaches. There are many opportunities to partake in physical activity and people should not make excuses in that regard. We are not living in an ideal world. We have to try to make the most of what we have available to us. Our climate is very conducive to outdoor physical activity.

A number of Senators mentioned the importance of sport in schools but we must differentiate between sport and physical activity. Unfortunately, many of the sporting activities in schools relate to team events. A soccer team needs 11 players and rugby, Gaelic football or hurling team requires 15 players; a smaller number is needed for camogie. Students often feel that if they are not on the first team they are not participating properly in the sport, even though they may get involved in the training and so on. We must examine other areas where greater participation can be promoted because it is all about encouraging students to participate. They do not all have to be on the first team to engage in meaningful physical activity. That is something schools will have to consider and encourage in a more meaningful way.

The task force has presented the Government and other key stakeholders with major policy challenges. I am confident that using the roadmap suggested by the task force, under the leadership of the Government and in partnership with key stakeholders in the public and private sectors, the task force's vision of an Irish society that enables people through health promotion and care to achieve and maintain healthy eating and active living throughout their lifespan is achievable. I will bring the report before the Cabinet in the near future. The problem has been studied and identified. We now know what needs to be done and I will ensure, as best I can, that the necessary action is taken as quickly as possible. I thank the Senators for their contributions.