Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004
536 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has considered the recent Environmental Protection Agency report on the quality of drinking water here which confirms that background levels of fluoride in water have not been examined since 1960; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8437/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2002 EPA report on the quality of drinking water in Ireland notes that fluoride in drinking water arises almost exclusively from fluoridation of public water supplies and from industrial discharges, and that significant levels of naturally occurring fluoride in water arise only in rare instances. To ensure compliance with the prescribed quality standards for drinking water, however, my Department has drawn the specific attention of local authorities to the need for the collection of background data on fluoride levels in sources of drinking water and to the need to have regard to those background levels in the fluoridation of drinking water supplies.
Fluoride dosing levels and review of such levels, including the type, form, quality and purity of fluoride to be added to public water supplies, are matters for the Minister for Health and Children under the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act 1960.
