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HEALTH MINISTER James Reilly has ruled out the imposition of a tax on junk food – but says he will write to Ireland’s fast food operators asking them to introduce a calorie count for each of their meals on their menus.
The disclosure follows meetings between officials from the Department of Health and representatives from the food industry over the summer.
In response to a series of parliamentary questions tabled by Dún Laoghaire TD Mary Mitchell O’Connor, who had asked if Reilly would consider introducing a tax on junk foods.
Reilly ruled out the prospect of the tax, but did say that the Special Action Group on Obesity is not considering the imposition of a tax “on high fat, salt and sugar foods at this juncture”.
The minister said that the group had considered asking fast food companies to place calorie values on their menus, and that he would now write to the country’s fast food chains asking for their compliance.
Reilly also said that the group had not ruled out introducing a ‘sugar tax’ on sugar-sweetened drinks as one of a range of measures to tackle obesity.
McDonald’s Ireland has previously said it had no plans to introduce a calorie count on its Irish menus, declining to follow the lead of its British counterpart.
The UK move came as a result of a recommendation from a similar strategy group there.
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RIP,another family’s heartbreak this evening :(
RIP
I hope it’s not James it would be such a waste of a young life.
seriously,how many other bodies are floating around in that river at any one time?
It would be someone else’s waste if life then….
I hate to have say this why are people red thumbing that comment?
So sad news, I know body isn’t identified yet, thoughts with family at such a sad time, too young to die
What are the thumbs down about? I can’t see any contentious statements above!
Richard just ignore the red thumbs on this story We all try too it is such a sad story for the Family who have to deal with this R.I.P and thought for the family
Oh no… :-/
I hope it not James for hisfamly
Thumbs down because any loss of life is sad whatever the age.
I agree Laura but I thought the idea of the thumbs was to make a statement about the comment. Apologies if I have misunderstood.
you havent mis understood at all,the thumbs system is indeed to indicate ones aggreement/disaggreement with a comment..people will thumbs down anything said on this site,no matter what it is
well done to the boyne river rescue….a grim task indeed. my condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
at least who ever it is has been.found. not in the way any family Will ever hope for but it Will be at least some peace for them. what a heartbreaking time for all concerned. rip.
Dont worry I seen the red thumb record here 1097 so I wouldnt take it personal sometimes with the iPhone or smart (not so Smart) when scrolling down page sometimes ppl hit off it by error I know I for one have .
R I P . Condolences to the family of the deceased .
RIP to this poor soul, it’s someone’s son, brother etc. May his family gain the strength they will need to get them through the next week. how gives a flying f%@k about red thumbers. They are irrelevant. Trolls will be trolls.
at least who ever it is has been.found. not in the way any family Will ever hope for but it Will be at least some peace for them. what a heartbreaking time for all concerned. rip.
Very sad that someone’s son has be taken out of the river
As for the red thumbs why won’t the journal get rid of this red / green
Thumbs crap
People are saying ” I hope it’s not James” . It’s somebody, and someone’s son!! Whoever it is are facing devastation.. I hope it’s not James just pushes the reality to some other poor family
am I right that the body found was that poor boy James,tragic,his life taken so young,only making his way in the world god be good to him
Why was my comment deleted?
Because the journal is like that … Very picky in my opinion and just a tad conservative … It likes to think it’s an important broadsheet , but it’s not really that far removed from most Red-Tops!! Shrude and moronic!!
have your say