Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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143. To ask the Minister for Health in view of the fact that the link between high sugary soft drink consumption and type-2 diabetes has been firmly established in both American and European studies, the steps he will take to highlight, educate and bring about a change in consumption habits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21535/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Minister is aware of the studies suggesting the link between high sugary soft drink consumption and type-2 diabetes. For this reason he proposed a tax on Sugar Sweetened Drinks and undertook to have a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) on the potential effects of such a tax on the health of the Irish people, including those in disadvantaged circumstances. The Working Group who oversaw the Health Impact Assessment were broadly of the view that there was evidence to suggest that Sugar Sweetened Drinks are associated with weight gain and that a Sugar Sweetened Drinks levy should not be seen as a revenue generating issue but rather a measure to change behaviour. They agreed that if this tax were implemented there would be a need for good monitoring and evaluation.

The Minister launched the Department of Health's revised Healthy Eating Guidelines in 2012 which are a tool to help inform the general public about the food and drink choices required for a healthy lifestyle and set out in plain and simple language the food servings the Irish population need to consume to maintain health and wellbeing. These guidelines strictly limit high fat, high salt and high sugar foods and drinks from the Top Shelf of the Food Pyramid. The Special Action Group on Obesity is currently considering measures to support the use of the Healthy Eating Guidelines. This Group will continue to consider evidence of the links between obesity and other chronic diseases and Sugar Sweetened Drinks.