Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 67:

In page 178, to delete lines 14 to 21.

This amendment refers to fluoridation. I ask that this particular reference in lines 14 to 21 be deleted. We believe that decision should be left to local authorities, as is the case in other countries. The decision is centralised here and we believe that as we are reforming local authorities we should allow the electors and their representatives in each of the districts and local authority areas to have discretion in that regard. There is a big debate about the issue, which is getting bigger, and I am using this opportunity to highlight it here. It is timely because we are drafting legislation for the new local authorities, and it is time we removed that reference. We must never forget that the corporate body of the council is made up of the elected councillors and in an increasing number of councils the elected councillors want to stop this practice. This is an opportunity to start that process. I know it has implications for the Health Act but we should start moving on this issue.

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