Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support the call by Senator Mullins for a statement or explanation by the Oireachtas Commission. Three hundred and thirty thousand euro is a significant sum for the Houses of the Oireachtas to have had to pay. This House would be a suitable Chamber to investigate this serious question.

Last week, I raised the matter of sugar consumption and childhood obesity. On the face of it, it seems like a frivolous issue but I propose some sort of regulation of ice cream vans. It is difficult to raise this matter without bringing a smile to one's face, but I have been contacted by numerous parents after media reports when I raised the issue last week. One parent in Wexford told me that an ice cream van visits her estate up to four or five times a day. It is leading to rows between that mother and her children who want to have ice creams, slushy drinks or chewing gum. While it may seem frivolous, it concerns pester power. Certain shops have tried to help parents deal with pestering by not having confectionery near checkouts.

In many instances children are addicted to sugar. I am not against ice cream but the persistent use of chimes in public streets and estates is an aggressive form of selling. It would not be countenanced in any other industry. While there is no regulation in this area in Ireland, it is a different story in the United Kingdom where measures have been taken to regulate such activity. We need to help parents to cope with pester power. We should consider regulating such sales techniques to some degree. It would be a welcome effort to reduce childhood obesity.