Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2013
446. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) to the Government and the EU Commission on the negative health effects of adding fluoride to the Irish water supply; if his attention has been drawn to growing public disquiet over this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14230/13]
View answer486. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied), on the negative health effects of adding fluoride to the Irish water supply; and if he is alarmed by the comparative serious disease statistics for Ireland compared to countries who do not carry out fluoridation of water. [14231/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 446 and 486 together.
The report to which the Deputy refers was referred to the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health for examination in 2012. The Expert Body concluded that the report is not reliable. The Expert Body's Appraisal and an Executive Summary of the Appraisal are available on the Expert Body's website, www.fluoridesandhealth.ie. The Expert Body is satisfied that water fluoridation, at its optimal level, causes no ill effects to the health of adults or children. The effects of fluoridation on health and related matters are kept under constant review.
