Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - Water Fluoridation.

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

265 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to repeal the Water Fluoridation Act, 1960; the research regarding the practice of fluoridation; his views on the fact that it has been discontinued in other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24993/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The fluoridation of the public piped water supplies is an important programme for the protection of dental health and I do not propose to seek to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act 1960 (No. 4 of 1960).

The safety and effectiveness of water fluori dation as a public health measure has been evaluated frequently by the World Health Organisation and other reputable authorities, such as the Health Research Council of the United States, and concerns about adverse health effects have not been substantiated. All of the reputable scientific evidence confirms the safety of fluoride when it is available in public piped water supplies at the optimal levels. These levels are the same as those required by the Act.

Historically, a few countries decided not to proceed with the introduction of water fluoridation. The reasons for this were due to geographical and administrative local difficulties and in one or two places there were legal difficulties which were overcome by changes in the legislation. Where water fluoridation was not introduced fluoride was made available by other means, for example, fluoridated salt etc., to order to overcome the local difficulties referred to above. In many developed countries people do not drink water from the public supply and this was a factor in providing fluoride by other means.