Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator McDowell and I agree with his comments on the Judiciary. Excellence should be the aim at all times. It is both a populist and dangerous road that we are currently going down when it comes to the Judiciary.

It is a sad and costly reality that Ireland is on the road to becoming the fattest country in Europe. I was encouraged and delighted to hear that many Departments have installed healthier option vending machines in their offices at the request of employees who want to choose such an option. It is imperative that schools, workplaces and hospitals, in particular, follow. It makes no sense that hospitals have vending machines laden with sugary drinks and foods. Obesity has become one of the greatest public health challenges Ireland faces and many patients are in hospital because of obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary heart disease. They and other patients should be encouraged to eat healthily and those who wish to should find it easy to do so. It is difficult to find healthy options when visiting hospital tuck shops. Although there have been conscious decisions and plans have been put in place to address the State's obesity issue, we need to keep the ball rolling. I was encouraged by this move by Departments but we need to actively encourage workplaces, especially within Departments, to enforce these policies.