Health Committee continues hearings on tackling childhood obesity

Committee Chairman, Jerry Buttimer TD said: “Tomorrow we will meet with representatives from a number of interest groups as we continue with our hearings into the issue of childhood obesity, its causes and what measures need to be implemented to tackle this problem.

This meeting provides committee members with an opportunity to discuss this very important and serious health issue which needs to be tackled urgently. Recent studies have highlighted the issue of weight gain and obesity among children and young people and how this is impacting on individuals in particular and the health service in general

The Committee is looking forward to meeting with the representatives from Food and Drink Industry Ireland; the Irish Heart Foundation; and the Special Action Group on Obesity tomorrow to get their perspectives on the issue and discuss in detail their views and ideas on dealing with the subject of childhood obesity.”

The meeting takes place tomorrow, Thursday, 11th October at 9.30am in Committee Room 2, LH 2000. Committee proceedings can be followed live at: http://bit.ly/24YmPI

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551

ENDS

Committee Membership:

Deputies

Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael
Catherine Byrne, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Ciara Conway, Labour Party
Regina Doherty, Fine Gael
Robert Dowds, Labour Party
Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael
Seamus Healy, Independent
Derek Keating, Fine Gael
Billy Kelleher, Fine Fail
Eamonn Maloney, Labour Party
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Denis Naughten, Independent
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Fein
Robert Troy, Fianna Fáil

Senators

Colm Burke, Fine Gael
John Crown, Independent
John Gilroy, Labour Party
Imelda Henry, Fine Gael
Marc Mac Sharry, Fine Fail
Jillian Van Turnhout, Independent