Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We read yesterday about a court challenge initiated by a school in County Wicklow against An Bord Pleanála arising from a decision to grant planning permission for a fast food restaurant adjacent the grounds of the school. I will obviously not comment on the specifics of the court case but there is an important public policy issue on the need to align planning policy with the national strategy on healthy eating to be addressed. This is a matter for the Department of Health, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. They need to ensure that planning policy is adequately informed and guided by Government policy in this area. It does not seem right that it should be necessary for an individual school to go up against the might of large fast food companies to ensure students are not excessively exposed to foods that have high levels of sugars, salts and fats. The matter should be addressed.