Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for the error. I think everyone knew what I meant.

I support Senator Murnane O'Connor. I am delighted we have cross-party support because with new politics, it will require the support of all the political parties to get it through. It is not exactly a popular move in how the public might perceive it. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, has already shown a willingness to improve the K class, which is important. I am glad it is on the agenda.

Over the past several weeks, I conducted a survey at supermarkets around the Dublin area on the issue of sugar and food labelling. Among parents, it seems there is some deception as to how food producers put the content of sugar, salt and other ingredients on their labels.With regard to one yoghurt, in particular, of the people questioned, 61% incorrectly believed that the product was a healthy choice for their child. It is worrying that even though parents are trying hard to decipher their labels, food companies are making it difficult for them. I compliment an initiative by Q102, a Dublin radio station, which has been good at highlighting matters such as this. It gives a Sugar Savvy Card to listeners, which outlines basic facts such as 4g of sugar equalling one teaspoon and sugar consumption per day, which should be no more than 12 teaspoons for an adult. The card also highlights the different ways sugar can be described on a menu, including syrup, honey, malt, cane, molasses and so on. I raise this issue frequently and I am sure I sound like a killjoy but this is important and I would be grateful if the Leader would agree to bring the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, to the House discuss this in the near future. There are issues relating to EU law when it comes to traffic light labelling which would make life simpler for consumers.