Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Health if he has liaised with the Department of Finance regarding the introduction of taxes on high fructose corn syrup, sugar, transfats or any other type of food taxes as part of a broader strategy on tackling obesity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8366/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I established a Special Action Group on Obesity comprising representatives from the Department of Health, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Health Service Executive, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and Safefood to identify a number of specific issues which could be progressed to help make an impact on our obesity levels. While it was acknowledged that alone no single initiative will halt or reverse the trend, it was felt that a combination of measures should make a difference. For this reason the Group is concentrating on a range of measures. The introduction of a sugar tax on sugar-sweetened drinks was identified as a strategy for consideration and the feasibility of introducing such a measure is being examined. Other issues being examined include nutritional labelling, calorie posting on restaurant menus, restrictions on the advertising of high salt, fat and sugar products to children and the treatment of obesity. The Group will liaise with other Departments and organisations as required.

Following consultation with other Government Departments, I am in the process of initiating a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) on the potential effects of a tax on Sugar Sweetened Drinks which will provide a strong evidence base for such a tax. The Institute of Public Health has agreed to lead the HIA Project Group and the WHO Europe has indicated that their nutrition team would be available to my Department to offer guidance, given that this will be the first HIA in this area.