Mary Henry (Independent)

I know the response is prepared for the Minister of State but there is not one word in it which I could not have written down and brought here myself. One of the excuses I was constantly given is that the fortification would affect the confectionery trade with the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has now introduced fortification of flour so that excuse is gone. I implore the Minister of State to have some sense of urgency brought to the situation because if one visited the National Rehabilitation Centre and saw young children and older people there with spina bifida, one would be ashamed to think that children with such conditions are still being born in this country. I am very disappointed with the reply and I hope the Minister of State will inform the Department of Health and Children.