Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have listened to some of my colleagues talking about the obesity issue in Ireland. One in four children are regarded as being overweight. It would be remiss of me not to comment on it today. Obesity is a complex area from two perspectives, the first of which relates to genetics. I know the Children's Research Centre is doing a great deal of research in this area. Children who have become obese as a result of genetic factors, regardless of their fitness regime or diet, will always have to deal with this issue. The second perspective on obesity relates to the lack of education on fitness and diet. More importantly, there is a lack of understanding of what motivation is all about and of the lazy society we are dealing with from parents down. There are numerous initiatives in this area. The Growing Up in Ireland study has been mentioned. The Minister for Health is launching an initiative in the Mansion House next week. The Irish Sports Council, the national governing bodies and groups of individuals around the country are doing wonderful things to educate children who participate in physical activity. We have to challenge those who are lost to physical activity.

Although it is just a reality television show, I believe "Operation Transformation" is a six-week wonder. At last week's meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Children, I asked whether the fitness and awareness levels of people in Ireland had improved or worsened during the programme's six years in existence. Despite the fact that "Operation Transformation" is an awareness campaign, my opinion is that such levels have worsened. When the witnesses at last week's meeting proposed a seven-point plan, I pointed out that it is a no-brainer to those of us who grew up in sport. The most important issue is the implementation of the plan. The Departments of Education and Skills, Health, Children and Youth Affairs, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Transport, Tourism and Sport are all doing wonderful things in different directions. We need a little cohesion in this area. I am pleased to be able to tell the House that since I brought my Points for Life initiative to the Seanad in November 2012, I have been working closely with the Departments of Education and Skills. My initiative is now a priority on the Department's schedule. In the next couple of months, I hope to formally launch a physical exercise programme that will enable children to learn the fundamental skills of what this is all about.

I would like to finish on another note. The St. Patrick's festival has been mentioned. I would like to invite all my colleagues in this House and anyone else who is following this debate to participate in the St. Patrick's festival 5 km road race, which will start and finish outside the Mansion House in Dublin on 16 March next. Many people from overseas will take part in the race as part of The Gathering.