Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 5

Written Answers. - Water Fluoridation.

Enda Kenny

Question:

117 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the levels of fluoridation in public water supplies; his views on whether it is appropriate to maintain these levels in view of the deep concerns expressed by international groups in respect of the damage caused by flourisis with particular reference to babies under four months of age; his further views on the health aspects arising from these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9640/02]

Enda Kenny

Question:

118 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the report of the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland into the consequences of fluoridation of public water supplies has not yet been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9641/02]

Enda Kenny

Question:

128 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children his policy in view of references to harmful effects of levels of fluoridation in public water supplies contained in the Irish health and safety report on water fluoridation levels; his views on the anxieties expressed by dental personnel about the effects of fluoridation on children's teeth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9652/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 118 and 128 together.

The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland has not been requested to report into the consequences of the fluoridation of public water supplies.

I established a forum on fluoridation in May 2000. It is comprised largely of persons with expert knowledge spanning the areas of public health, dental health, food safety, environmental protection, ethics, water quality, health promotion and representatives from the consumer and environmental areas. The forum held its first meeting in September 2000.

Its terms of reference are to review the fluoridation of public piped water supplies and the programme of research being undertaken on behalf of health boards in the area and to report to the Minister. The forum invited the public to forward their views on the issues under consideration and received in excess of 1,000 submissions, each of which has been examined. Its website is http://www.fluoridationforum.ie which gives details of the forum's progress.

The forum's chairman has informed me that he expects to present its report to me in the near future. I will not pre-empt the outcome of its deliberations.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland requested its scientific sub-committee on additives, contaminants and residues to conduct a risk assessment in relation to the issue of infant formula reconstituted with fluoridated water. This report will be available in the near future.