Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the proposal on introducing a sugar tax in the next budget. A survey by the Irish Heart Foundation found that more than half of the public are in favour of a tax of 20% on sugary drinks. It is time for us to seriously consider such a measure and I hope the Minister for Finance will investigate the matter. It has been claimed that such a tax would only affect more vulnerable people but if we could incentivise the consumption of fruit and vegetables or reduce the taxes levied on them, we could offset any difficulties that may arise. The next generation is facing an obesity epidemic and a sugar tax would be a simple way of discouraging people from buying drinks with a high sugar content. Some 80% of those surveyed believed sugary drinks are adding to the obesity problem.