Water Fluoridation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2012

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Ceisteanna (71, 72)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Ceist:

151 Deputy Luke “Ming” Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the study Human Toxicity, Environmental Impact and Legal Implications of Water Fluoridation; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that this same report has been reviewed by many national and local authorities in many countries and that in Canada several cities and provinces have ceased adding fluoride to public water supplied as a result of the findings in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29356/12]

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Ceist:

158 Deputy Luke “Ming” Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the action he will take in relation to the findings of a report entitled Human Toxicity, Environmental Impact and Legal Implications of Water Fluoridation which states that research findings have demonstrated the ability of fluoride to act as an enzymatic poison in the human body inhibiting critical metabolic pathways required for healthy living; if he will instruct the Irish expert body on fluorides and health to review the findings in this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29355/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 158 together.

The report to which the Deputy refers was referred to the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health for examination. The Expert Body has 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. I understand that the report has been circulated to some national and local authorities in Ireland, some of whom have communicated with my Department regarding its content. My Department has received no communication from health authorities outside the jurisdiction regarding the report.

Fundamentally the Expert Body maintains that there continues to be overwhelming evidence that water fluoridation significantly benefits dental health and through this, benefits overall health. 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. 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.