Water Fluoridation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 October 2012

Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Questions (281)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

281. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if either he or management within the Health Service Executive have read the history of fluoridation provided by BBC Journalist Christopher Byson's in his book The Fluoride Deception; in view of the fact that the Fluoride Deception was published in 2005, his views on whether the continued practice of water fluoridation here constitutes negligence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45046/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, which was established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health and related matters. The Expert Body is satisfied, having studied current peer reviewed scientific evidence worldwide, that water fluoridation causes no ill effects to the health of adults or children. The publication to which the Deputy refers is not a peer reviewed scientific study and has not been considered by the Expert Body as such. There are no plans to discontinue the policy of fluoridation of public water supplies, which continues to make an effective contribution to oral health in Ireland.