The chairman of the Oireachtas health committee Fianna Fáil deputy Mr Batt O'Keeffe has backed plans for a "fat tax" to stop the bad habits of food producers.
Mr O'Keeffe said that if it is introduced in a proper fashion, a fat tax would pressurise those who produce food to be more responsible for the nutritional value of their products.
In the 1990s, obesity levels in Ireland increased by 67 per cent Mr O'Keefe said.
"I fear that unless we reverse that trend, we will see a major rise in heart disease cases, strokes, diabetes and certain types of cancer."
Mr O'Keeffe stressed the need to educate people about the benefits of healthy foods and make them more responsible for their health.
"Food producers do have a responsibility to support efforts to bring in a healthier lifestyle.
"Fat us a cheap by-product of the meat-processing industry and is being used as padding in much of what we eat."
Calling for the fat tax, he said a balance had to be struck to ensure it did not penalise the less well-off.
"We must look at studies already undertaken in Australia - where consideration is being given to introducing such a levy - and by the British Medical Association, who favour a fat tax.
"Ready meals have changed the way we eat, but there is no reason why health should be sacrificed for convenience.
"Much progress has been made in recent years in labelling food, but I believe that what is needed is complete transparency.
"We need to know exactly what we are eating - and where it has come from," he said.
PA