Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am not sure where to start or how to address what I am about to talk about but I will follow on from the comments of Senator Bacik said and Senator Noone on the report from the World Health Organization that came out this morning. I was mad as hell when I read it this morning and I have listened to commentaries on the radio today about obesity levels and where they are headed in Ireland. The report cited a likely increase from 23% to 57% in the incidence of obesity among women and a likely increase from 26% to 48% in the incidence among men. The incidence of obesity is likely to explode in 2030 not only in Ireland but throughout Europe and rest of the world. Senator Bacik spoke about having a debate on the issue but we do not need another bloody debate. We have had report after report, including Healthy Ireland; Health Eating Active Living; Action for Life - Action for Everybody, Growing Up in Ireland, Senior Cycle Physical Education and Junior Cycle Physical Education and my own Points for Life initiative which I introduced in this House three and a half years ago. Where did I get with it? Probably nowhere, other than that I got the NTSC and the Department of Education and Skills to allow me to run a pilot programme at primary level involving four schools. My report proved what we already know, not only for the past four years but for the past 15 years, which is how the health of this nation is going.The Department of Health is spending up to €15 billion a year, but what will the figure be in 2030? It will probably be €20 billion. We do not have a clue what we are doing to address the issue of physical activity and well-being and the obesity epidemic about which we have been told today. According to the report, there are too many obstacles and road blocks and it is time for action, not words. It has been proved in all reports that physical exercise reduces the level of cardiovascular disease and increases mental well-being, yet we are doing nothing to deal with the issue. In the Healthy Ireland initiative the need for cross-departmental support is mentioned. To be honest, that is an absolute joke. The Sport Ireland Bill 2014 is passing through the House and perhaps will be passed tomorrow. It is an opportunity to take some action under the umbrella of Sport Ireland. One invests to succeed. Sport Ireland could help us to deliver in communities, schools and voluntary clubs a really good action plan. I receive letters and e-mails on a regular basis, including one today, from schools which are dealing with problems with gymnasiums and have halls, perhaps, 9 m by 19 m, for 600 schoolchildren. They are on the following lines: "Eamonn, we have been applying for sports capital grants for the past 15 months or perhaps 15 years and cannot get anywhere." We really have to take action on this issue. The problem should be nipped in the bud in the case of children, as otherwise we are facing a lost generation. If serious action is not taken now, we will be in serious trouble by 2030.