Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent)

It is my pleasure to second the motion. Unfortunately, given our economic circumstances, too often matters such as this are overlooked due to the avalanche of budgetary items dominating our lives and the media. It is imperative that we do not allow this to continue as we will walk ourselves into a set of social crises which will be every bit as serious as the financial crisis we are experiencing. Perhaps one difference from the economic problems we face is we can prevent many of social problems on the horizon without having to lean on our EU counterparts.

Senator Coghlan's motion affords us the opportunity to take proactive steps to tackle the looming obesity crisis and all of us could leave a valuable legacy for future generations. A total of 30% of our children are either obese or overweight and the percentage is approximately double that in the United States. I wish the Minister could have attended Senator Coghlan's excellent briefing in the AV room last night. I went home motivated to start, not to mind start my children. It is clear what we will run into over the next two generations. What has happened in America is happening here.