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Programme for Government

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Questions (1799)

Richard Bruton

Question:

1799. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on the commitment in the programme for Government to work with key stakeholders to introduce a public health obesity Bill, including examining restrictions on promotion and advertising aimed at children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20992/22]

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Written answers

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 OPAP provides for a mid-term review to be carried out, which 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.    The review is informed by an evaluation of the OPAP undertaken by the Centre for Health and Diet Research, University College Cork.  This process has included an assessment through an online survey by numerous experts and stakeholders.  It is expected that the review will be completed by the end of June 2022. 

Given the multi-faceted nature of the obesity crisis, a high level of interdepartmental collaboration will be required to implement measures aimed at tackling obesity and in the preparation and implementation of legislation, as well as extensive stakeholder consultation.  The existing relationships with other Departments through the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group, and the work which Healthy Ireland has undertaken over the years in identifying and developing relationships with stakeholders, provides a strong basis upon which to examine the issues and implications involved.

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