Responding to today’s court decision to reject the challenge to planning permission for a McDonald’s drive-through fast-food restaurant in Greystones, Chris Macey, head of advocacy with Irish Heart said: “This judgment highlights the need for new legislation to protect children’s health by introducing no fry zones, restricting hot food takeaways within one kilometre of primary and secondary schools.

“Already 75% of Irish schools have at least one and 30% have at least five fast food outlets within one kilometre of their front gates. Today’s ruling shows that current planning laws give carte blanche to fast food restaurants to open as many outlets as they like in the vicinity of our schools.

“We are calling on the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government Eoghan Murphy to take decisive action to safeguard children’s health by drawing up legislation to prevent any further deterioration in this already unacceptable situation.”

Media Queries to:  Conor George, Communications, Irish Heart, 01-6685001 or cgeorge@irishheart.ie or Adrianne Grebenkin: agrebenkin@irishheart.ie