Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Implementation of the report of the National Taskforce on Obesity (NTFO) is ongoing. By its nature, implementation of many of the recommendations was going to take place in the medium term with some of the actions more long-term. A survey by the National Nutrition Surveillance Centre on the implementation of the NTFO Report shows that there has been action and progress on 60% of the recommendations. There is considerable evidence of action and delivery at local and community level.

Since becoming Minister of State with responsibility for Health Promotion, I have made tackling obesity one of my key priorities. In order to give a new impetus to this issue I am currently in the process of conducting a series of bilateral discussions with relevant Departments with regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the Taskforce.

I am also in the process of establishing a multi-sectoral group representative of key Government Departments, Non-Governmental Organisations and other key experts to oversee implementation of the Task Force's recommendations. Its first task will be to report before next Easter on the progress to date in the implementation of the report of the Task Force. I intend to Chair this Group and the first meeting will take place in January.