Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Emily O'Reilly, the new European Ombudsman. It is a remarkable achievement to succeed in securing the appointment.

I thank Senator Quinn for his debate yesterday evening. While I take the Cathaoirleach's point about refraining from comment on yesterday's business, I note that the discussion on the important issue of food labelling raised, yet again, the issue of children's health and rising levels of obesity. I am aware that the Leader has been in negotiations with the Minister for Health to have a debate on the matter in the context of public consultation. We spoke yesterday about the possibility of asking the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and, perhaps, the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Tom Hayes, to come to the House to discuss the matter. The purpose of the debate would be to examine obesity in children, how we feed our children, exercise in schools and food labelling. It is an enormous long-term difficulty on which we still have not grasped the nettle. We are approaching the issue piecemeal without putting it centre stage where it ought to be. The risk to children's health is one thing but the cost to the nation is huge. While we talk about saving money in many other areas, we are saving a penny to spend a pound later in this case. It is foolish economics and it puts the lives of our children at risk. I urge the Leader to provide for a debate on the matter as soon as possible.