Vol. 505 No. 2
129 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures, if any, his Department has put in place informing parents of young babies not to make up baby formula with tap water containing fluoride in view of similar warnings made in fluoridated areas in the United Kingdom and the fact that Ireland has one of the lowest breast feeding rates in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13403/99]
Parents of young babies can be assured that baby formula made up with tap water containing fluoride at one part per million is perfectly safe. I can also confirm that no advice to the contrary was given by the Government of the United Kingdom to any group.
130 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the guarantees which exist to ensure that fluoride added to public water supplies is spread evenly and the fluoride content is monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13404/99]
Fluorine is injected into public piped water supplies by a metering pump. The dosing rate of the pump is in proportion to the flow rate of the water so that the fluorine content of the water after dosing lies between the permitted limits of 0.8-1p.p.m.
