Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 743: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a sugar tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20325/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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During 2011 I established a Special Action Group on Obesity comprising key stakeholders, and chaired by my own Department and its remit is to examine and progress a number of issues to address the complex and multi-factorial problem of obesity. Alone no single initiative will reverse the trend, but a combination of measures should make a difference.

The Special Action Group on Obesity, has recommended the introduction of a Sugar Sweetened Drinks tax as a priority action. My Department has recently established a Steering Group to oversee the carrying out of a Health Impact Assessment on the health and economic aspects of introducing such a tax and the Institute of Public Health will be facilitating my Department with this assessment.

The Steering Group aims to have the Health Impact Assessment Report available in October to be presented to me. At that point, myself and my officials will consider the HIA results and use them as part of the decision making process regarding any possible introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 744: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a fat tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20326/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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There are currently no plans to introduce a fat tax but the Special Action Group on Obesity are examining a range of possible measures and I would wish to rule nothing out in the future.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 745: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a tax targeting products high in fat, salt or saturated fat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20327/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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There are currently no plans to introduce a tax targeting products high in fat, salt or saturated fat but the Special Action Group on Obesity are examining a range of possible measures and I would wish to rule nothing out in the future.