asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange to have an analysis made of the waters in the Spa wells, Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, and a report made on the quantities of the various minerals and the percentage of lithium found.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Spa Waters Analysis.
17.
I am advised that the specific substance mentioned by the Deputy, lithium, is not one which is likely to be present in spa water, or any other Irish water, in an amount likely to have any effect, beneficial or harmful, on health. If, however, the Deputy could furnish me with any evidence he may have which would make it desirable, I will arrange with the Mid-Western Health Board for an analysis of these spa waters.
In view of the recent increase in treatment with lithium as a drug which gives people a certain lift and the fact that from all our knowledge everybody who comes to Lisdoonvarna seems to improve physically, I wonder was it the lithium in the water which has been found in very minimal quantities and even that used medically as a preventive measure might help to keep a lot of people out of hospital. I wonder if any assessment could be done of the lithium content of the waters that come out of the rocks there?
As I said in my reply, if the Deputy thinks it desirable, we can arrange with the Mid-Western Health Board for an analysis of the waters.