Irish restaurants will be obliged to display calorie counts on their menus under new legislation to help tackle the obesity crisis.

Health Minister Simon Harris spoke about the plan on The Last Word yesterday, saying he hopes to have the legislation drafted by the end of this year.

Is it a good idea, and will it make any difference?

JP McMahon, Michelin-starred chef and owner of Aniar, Cava Bodega and Tartare restaurants in Galway, thinks the proposal is "counter-intuitive".

"It detracts from what we're trying to do. People are coming out to experience food, not to think about calories."

"It's a very lazy solution to a very complex problem."

Sarah Keogh, dietitian from EatWell.ie, says that many people are unaware of exactly what's in their food, but that ultimately it will mean more work for restaurants and there will be a cost.