Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)

With regard to An Bille Gaeltacht 2012, while the Seanad agenda and availability of the Minister may dictate that it be taken next week, I believe it would be reasonable that people are given an opportunity to review it. I am not trying to be controversial but I would welcome if that could be facilitated.

The report into the death of children in the child protection agency is appalling. However, I am comforted by the statement by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, that money will be made available to progress the report's findings and to ensure what happened in the past in the child protection agency never occurs in this State again. The report on obesity puts on paper the problem of obesity in our society, of which we are all aware. This is a delicate issue to address with children given the enormous psychological implications for parents of coming down hard on their children in terms of what they are eating. It is a complex area. I believe there is a need for a public awareness campaign to educate parents on this issue. It is tantamount to child abuse when a child of one or two years is overweight. We need to educate society on this issue. A child's relationship with food is developed by the time he or she reaches, six, seven or eight years of age. I join with other Senators in calling for a fulsome debate on healthy living. On a wider level, we need this to be something the Government is pushing hard with schools, youth organisations and organisations which educate parents.