Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the development of a national nutrition policy; if he will provide details of a timeline for progressing work on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33864/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently involved in drafting a new Public Health Policy Framework which will explore among a range of other issues, the need for a National Nutrition Policy.

Earlier in the year I set up a Special Action Group on Obesity comprising key stakeholders, including a representative from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, to progress a number of issues to address the problem of obesity.

Alone no single initiative will reverse the trend, but a combination of measures should make a difference. The Group is concentrating on a specific range of actions including Healthy Eating Guidelines for the Irish Population, nutritional labelling, calorie posting on restaurant menus, the promotion of physical activity and the detection and treatment of obesity. The group will work with other Government departments in a cross-sectoral approach to help halt the rise in childhood obesity.