Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

One of the big changes in Irish society is we are living much longer and will continue living longer. Estimates are that a teenager today has a one in five chance of living to the age of 100. Significant changes are happening in our demographics but just because we are living longer does not mean we are living healthier lives. On current trends, 80% of the population in their 40s or 50s will be overweight or obese by the end of the decade. That has major health implications.

All the evidence is that, rather than placing emphasis on the cure, we should encourage prevention by encouraging people to get active. Evidence shows if we increase our physical activity by 20 minutes per day, that will lead to a 30% reduction across all forms of morbidity, including cancer and heart disease. It will lead to a reduction in the threat of death, but also in some serious and chronic diseases.

The best way to get around it is physical activity. Gym membership is to be encouraged. All the evidence points towards it. The Irish Physical Activity Alliance, which represents gyms and others involved in the space, as well as the new cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Albert Dolan, have been raising, as have I, the question of incentives for people to join gyms and get active in that space. That includes a med 1 tax relief for gym membership. I hope we can have a debate in the House on obesity and the problems associated with it and on increasing physical activity.