Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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A National Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) has been established to oversee the implementation of our national policy - including measures on Reformulation of food and non-alcoholic drink. It met for the first time last October. This is comprised of representatives from several Government Departments and State Agencies. As part of its work it will identify processes for engaging with networks of stakeholders - including those in the food industry. The OPIOG has already started its work on this and the Chairperson of the Group anticipates that a forum with the food industry will be scheduled for the second half of this year.

Two Sub-Groups under this national oversight group on Healthy Eating and Reformulation have been established. The Sub-Group on Reformulation met recently and agreed its Terms of Reference. These Terms of Reference include devising a mechanism for engagement and consultation with the Food Industry and I expect that the roadmap for its reformulation work is likely to involve a framework for engagement in this regard.