A novel, not to say thought provoking, first has been notched up by the Mid-Western Health Board in its objection to a proposed McDonalds fast food outlet in Ennis, Co Clare.
Planning objections are more usually based on arguments about traffic flow, drainage, zoning, density or that catchall phrase of development plans - "contrary to the proper planning and development of the area". But the Mid-Western Health Board is seeking to push out the boundaries with its McDonalds objection: it wants to keep the American fast food combine out of Ennis because it believes burgers, deep fried chips and fizzy drinks are bad for one's health.
In a written submission, the health board notes that it would "welcome the support of Ennis Town Council to protect the health of our children and our children's children" by keeping McDonalds out. Audrey Lyons, a dietician who is a party to the objection, goes so far as to suggest that an Environmental Impact Study be carried out to determine the likely effect of a McDonalds on the host population. Dr Anne Griffin, a co-objector with Ms Lyons and the board, and who is also a dietician, has urged that the planning application be considered against the background of child obesity worldwide. "Obesity is increasing and the consumption of fast food is one of the determining factors. In this case, the McDonalds is very near the town centre and the council should find out what impact the restaurant will have on children's diet in the area before it makes any decision on the application."
These objections are well meant and, the evidence suggests, well founded. However, of doubtful merit is the implication - and the precedent that would be set were McDonalds to be denied on grounds set out in the objection - that the State should set the boundaries for what people eat. There can be little doubt but that excessive indulgence in almost any food is bad for one's health. Excessive indulgence in food of questionable dietary merit - hamburger meat, sugar enriched bread and deep fried chips, for example - is very bad for one's health. As Conor O'Clery reports in today's HealthSupplement, an American film maker who ate nothing but McDonalds for a month put on 25 pounds.
It seems unlikely that the objections to McDonalds in Ennis would, on the grounds advanced, stand up to judicial scrutiny. But the objectors have done Ennis - and the wider audience - a service by reminding everyone that eating bad food is not compulsory. The evidence against fast food is overwhelming. But so too is the need for common sense (and parental control) when it comes to eating. Ultimately, we all are what we eat.