Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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190. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline the progress that has been made on his work to introduce a public health obesity act, including examining restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56998/22]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” published in June 2020 contained a commitment to “Work with key stakeholders to introduce a Public Health Obesity Act, including examining restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children”.

The policy instrument for obesity in Ireland is “A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), which was launched in September 2016 as part of the Healthy Ireland Framework. The OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy.

The review of the OPAP is due to be published shortly. It is informed by an evaluation of the OPAP undertaken by the Centre for Health and Diet Research, University College Cork, which included an assessment through an online survey by numerous experts and stakeholders.

The review provides the opportunity to consider developments and new evidence since the publication of the OPAP, and to assess which elements might best be further progressed by legislation or by other means.A high level of interdepartmental collaboration is required to implement measures aimed at tackling obesity and in the preparation and implementation of legislation, as well as extensive stakeholder consultation.

In terms of the PfG commitment relating to legislation relating to restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children, I would like to refer to the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022 which was brought to the Oireachtas by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, Media and Gaeltacht.

The Bill will dissolve the BAI and establish a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán. Under the Bill, broadcasting codes will ultimately be superseded by media service codes, which will apply to both video-on-demand and broadcasting services. Furthermore, An Coimisiún will be enabled to make online safety codes which apply to designated online services, such as video-sharing platform services (e.g. YouTube). Similar to broadcasting codes such as the CCCC, media service and online safety codes may provide for the regulation of commercial communications relating to foods or beverages which may be the subject of public concern in respect of the general public health interests of children.

As the Department responsible for public health policy, the Department of Health would expect to contribute to and be consulted on the making of any codes by Coimisiún na Meán relating to the advertisement of food or beverages at children. The Bill has passed all stages in the Seanad and has moved to the Dáil, where it has passed the Committee Stage.