Obesity is a major health challenge owing to the consumption of calorie-dense food with low nutritional value, as well as a reduction in daily physical activity. Obesity is the biggest risk to our population’s health with one in four children and two out of three adults being overweight or obese. Obesity costs the State €1.7 billion per year. It increases one’s risk of developing several serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiac disease and certain cancers such as breast cancer.

Has the Deputy a question on promised legislation?

What is the Taoiseach’s plan to tackle this epidemic? As a doctor and former Minister for Health, he has vast experience in the health area. The health and wellbeing (healthy workplaces and calorie posting) Bill would be a start.

Deputy, we cannot have a Second Stage speech now. I call the Taoiseach on promised legislation.

There is legislation promised in this area for calorie posting and other matters. Heads of the Bill have yet to come to the Cabinet but I know the Department of Health is working on it.