asked the Minister for Health if he will state whether he is prepared to publish the report completed to date of the Dietetic Survey Committee, and whether he considers that any delay should be necessary in making it available to Deputies and the public generally.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Report of Dietetic Survey Committee.
As I have already indicated in a reply to a previous query on this subject, I hope to have the report on the dietary investigation in Dublin County Borough ready for publication in the near future. Every effort will be made to ensure that copies of the report will be made available at the earliest possible date. The field work in connection with the dietary survey for the rest of the country is progressing satisfactorily, but it is not yet possible to indicate when the report for the country, as a whole, will be completed.
Would the Minister tell the House what is the cause of the delay? This report was presented many months ago.
The cause of the delay is that, when I publish the report, I want it to be as full and as comprehensive as possible. There is no other reason why I should withhold publication of the report. At the moment it is awaiting certain minor changes at the suggestion of the Nutrition Committee of the Medical Council. As soon as they are completed, the report will be published.