Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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619. To ask the Minister for Health if, despite the opposition to such a measure which is driven by commercial interests and a complete unwillingness to accept the growing scientific and medical evidence which demonstrates that sugar, in various processed forms, is responsible for the substantial increase in obesity-related health problems, he is committed to introducing measures to encourage healthier eating and encourage business to reduce such harmful ingredients in products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41110/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Comprehensive, multi-level approaches are required to address the obesity epidemic. For this reason, I established a Special Action Group on Obesity, SAGO, with which I meet regularly to progress the obesity prevention agenda. SAGO is concentrating on a range of measures and initiatives to help reverse the growing prevalence of obesity in the Irish population. Revised Healthy Eating Guidelines were launched in 2012 which will help inform people 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 toconsume to maintain health and well-being. A Health Impact Assessment on the health and economic aspects of introducing a sugar sweetened drinks taxwas completed and presented to me. This year, SAGO established a sub-committee to investigate and develop a range of options to support healthy eating, including considerations on high fat, high salt and high sugar foods and drinks from the top shelf of the food pyramid. The report on measures recommended is at final draft stage and will be presented to me in the near future.