The main aim of the Kilkenny health project, a pilot health promotion research and demonstration project initiated in 1985, is to reduce the risk of heart disease among the population of Kilkenny. The evaluation of the project is currently under way in terms of its success in achieving its objectives and I expect the report on this evaluation to be submitted to me by the end of this year.
I accept that greater emphasis needs to be placed nationally on the reduction of risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke, particularly given this country's high incidence of such risk factors. This requires effective planning and broad agreement on implementation strategies.