Results 4,361-4,380 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Report of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications: Motion (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: I listened carefully to all of the contributions made by Deputies here this afternoon. It has been a good debate, Friday or otherwise. There have been some excellent contributions and insights from all sides of the House and I recognise that. I thank Deputy O'Mahony for being the initiator of this debate, and thank his committee. That has been extremely helpful. I thank the members of...

Report of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications: Motion (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: Could I have 20 seconds to respond in good faith to Deputy Dooley?

Report of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications: Motion (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: I understand Deputy Dooley’s point but in order for the Oireachtas to come back to this issue it would also have to comprehend the health issue. It seems to me that the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications has done hugely important work and it should be thanked for that and involved in the future but the Joint Committee on Health and Children would also have to find a way...

Report of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications: Motion (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: I welcome the opportunity afforded by the presentation of this report to address the issue of alcohol misuse and expand on the Government's plans to address this problem. I thank the members of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications for their work on the issue of sponsorship of sport by the alcohol drinks industry and their valuable contribution to the debate. I welcome the...

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) (Repeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: There is no fluoridation lobby.

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) (Repeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: Who are its members?

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) (Repeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: Deputy Stagg is entitled to his view. That is politicising the matter. Deputy Mathews is correct that Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan should resist the temptation to reduce this debate to who said what when. I am not prepared to accept the Bill, although I believe Deputy Stanley introduced it in good faith. However, I am prepared to facilitate continuing public discussion of and access to the...

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) (Repeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: They do it in other ways.

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) (Repeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: There is a tonne of evidence.

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) (Repeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: A few extractions.

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) (Repeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: I commend everyone who contributed to the debate, including Deputy Stanley, who introduced this Bill. I assure him and the House of the Government's collective determination to continue to keep this important public health measure under review and to act in accordance with expert advice. To pick up on Deputy Mathews's last point and the frustration that Deputy Catherine Murphy expressed...

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) (Repeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: -----but I am rejecting the Bill. I am rejecting the simple, bald proposition that the House vote to repeal the 1960 Act. Without any doubt, I am rejecting that. I do not want there to be any doubt about that. If what Deputy Stanley and others are saying - in the spirit of what Deputy Mathews stated, although I did not agree with what he said at the very end - is that the public are...

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) (Repeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: No.

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) (Repeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: That would be the fire emanating from Deputy Finian McGrath.

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) (Repeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: These are verifiable facts that Members can check if they want to deny them. Use of fluoride is an essential part of oral health policy in Europe. In countries or areas which do not fluoridate water, this can mean fluoridation of salt, milk or provision of community fluoridation through other means, such as fluoride varnishes or fluoride mouth rinses. Since its introduction in Ireland in...

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) (Repeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: The reports have been on the health benefits of the policy. While there is much expertise in this Chamber, I am not quite sure there is any scientific expertise. As legislators we need to have regard for the science, not to accept it blindly and to see what the preponderance of the evidence is. One will always find one study that will differ from others. There will always be people...

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) (Repeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: One needs to look at this issue in the round and not rely on one or two isolated studies. I believe we should maintain the fluoridation policy which is an important public health imperative. The suggestion we should repeal the 1960 Act with this one-liner Bill is grossly irresponsible.

Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) (Repeal) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2013)

Alex White: I welcome the opportunity to address Members to set out in the strongest terms the reasons this Bill which would provide no benefit for the public and be likely to result in deterioration in the oral health and, therefore, general health of the population should be opposed. Deputy Brian Stanley’s Bill proposes that the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act 1960 be repealed in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (7 Nov 2013)

Alex White: Medical Card and GP Visit Card eligibility for persons aged 70 or older is based on assessment on a gross income basis and takes account of all income, as set out in the Health Act 1970 (As Amended). For persons aged 70 or older who are assessed as ineligible under the gross income thresholds that apply, they may also have their eligibility assessed under the means tested medical card...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists (7 Nov 2013)

Alex White: The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.