Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health if, in view of the increasing significance of the obesity issue, consideration will be given to introducing regulations which will make the publication of nutritional information, such as calorie amounts, obligatory on food and beverage menus particularly as many forward thinking restaurants and eateries have already done so thereby disproving the objections of others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54447/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Given the increases in obesity, especially in children and teenagers, and the links between obesity and chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk. I am considering a range of measures to halt this increase. I established a Special Action Group on Obesity in 2011 and one of the measures being pursued at the moment is Calorie Posting on menu boards in fast food restaurants and coffee shops. The Special Action Group on Obesity identified this as a priority action which could have a positive impact in addressing the problem of our rising levels of overweight and obesity.

In October 2011 and January 2012, I wrote to Fast Food chains and sandwich bars operating in Ireland to request that they introduce calorie posting in their restaurants and sandwich bars as quickly as possible. I have met with a number of these organisations and they, along with others, are now providing calories on menus. To take this initiative further, the Department of Health commissioned the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) to conduct a public consultation on the introduction of calorie posting on fast food outlet and restaurant menus. The consultation process shows that both the general public and the food outlets were positive about this initiative.

Work is ongoing and the FSAI are currently looking at options on how best to support food outlets in calculating calories on dishes that appear more than 30 days on menus. An assessment is under way and this is being facilitated by the FSAI. The Special Action Group on Obesitywill then consider progress in this area and make a recommendation to me regarding next steps.