Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has made a submission to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland on TV advertising and its impact on children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32496/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In August 2011, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland issued a consultation document entitled Children's Commercial Communications Code and launched a related public consultation process regarding same on how food and drink should be commercially promoted to children in broadcast media.

My Department ensures the establishment of effective strategies for participation by children in decision making. In this regard, my Department has facilitated a reply by Dáil na nÓg, the national parliament for young people aged 12-18, to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in relation to the Authority's consultation document on the Children's Commercial Communications Code.

200 delegates aged 12 - 18 attended the ninth annual Dáil na nÓg which took place on 5 March 2010 in Croke Park, Dublin and discussed the issues of mental health and access to education. Dáil na nÓg found there to be no comprehensive studies on how body image affects Irish teenagers today. They have created their our own survey, with the help of researchers from University College Cork to gather this critical information first hand. The researchers from UCC were commissioned by my Department to work with Dáil na nÓg. The survey is currently being filled out by young people in all 34 Comhairle na nÓg throughout the country during October and early November. The results will then be analysed by the researchers of University College Cork. I expect the survey to provide direct feedback on the impact of advertising and media coverage of children, particularly in relation to their views on body image. The findings will be compiled into a report by early January and sent to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.