asked the Minister for Health when he expects a report from the Food Advisory Committee regarding the desirability or otherwise of limiting by regulation the amount of flourine in foodstuffs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fluorine in Foodstuffs.
1.
Mr. Ryan
I am not in a position to say when the Food Advisory Committee may submit to me a report regarding the desirability or otherwise of limiting by regulation the amount of fluorine in foodstuffs.
Mr. Ryan
Is the Minister aware that the reason for the delay is that the Food Advisory Committee have discovered that it is virtually impossible to control the fluorine content of foodstuffs where fluoridated water is used in their manufacture? Is he further aware that it has recently been discovered in America——
The Deputy is giving information, not asking for it.
Mr. Ryan
I am asking is the Minister aware, because he is the person responsible for implementing the Act.
The Deputy is making an argument.
Mr. Ryan
If you will bear with me, you will appreciate that I am not. I am not that type. I want to know is the Minister aware that it was recently discovered in America that where fluoridated water was used in the manufacture of breakfast cereals the fluorine content was increased from .05 in the raw state to over six parts per million in the finished state.
I am now fully convinced that it is an argument.
Mr. Ryan
The question arising out of that is, will the Minister warn the public that if any person begins the day by consuming breakfast cereals in connection with which fluoridated water has been used the person will be in danger of death from toxic poisoning?
The Deputy cannot get away with all that. That surely is an argument.
I am not so aware.
Mr. Ryan
I will give the Minister the authority.