Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment launched and attended the national forum on food waste. This allows us the opportunity to bring into sharp focus the amount of food that is wasted in the country. It is estimated that 1.1 million tonnes of food is wasted every year. Of that, 450,000 tonnes is attributed to food production. This means that 450,000 tonnes of food are wasted before ever getting to the consumer. This is not stuff that is taken from one's fridge. There is waste by both the consumer and in the commercial sector. Given the issues surrounding food poverty for children and adults, what is happening is highly unethical.

We are also challenged in terms of reducing our carbon emissions. Without a doubt, to grow, transport and take food from the supermarket home - to dispose of it - takes energy and adds to our carbon footprint. If we are to become the modern and progressive society we all strive to be in so many different fields, we cannot ignore this level of waste.

Denmark has taken many initiatives that have resulted in reducing the amount of food waste. Our Environmental Protection Agency runs a national food waste prevention campaign. We need to begin with increasing awareness of where this is happening and how we personally can begin to address it and of the systems that are in place. This Chamber is a fitting location to host a debate on the issue. Going back as far as last summer, I have asked on a number of occasions for such a debate. Perhaps events and circumstances are now dovetailing and will allow this to be on the agenda so that people can participate so that we learn and move on to make a difference in our country.