A Fianna Fáil senator who owns a chocolate business says she has no problem with plans by the the party for a sugar tax.

Mary White says she supports any plan to reduce obesity, but does not think it will affect her business.

Senator White is the co-founder of Lir Chocolates - which employs 250 people in Ireland.

She says a sugar tax would not apply to chocolate anyway because it is not a typical snack.

Food and Drink Industry Ireland - which represents the food and beverage sector - has previously claimed that any such tax would add to the cost of the weekly household shop.

It said measures like a tax on sugar sweetened beverages would only depress consumer demand and damage the prospects for recovery.