Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support the Government's action because, as I said earlier, I am no wiser today than I was 15 years ago when I tabled a motion at a meeting of South Dublin County Council to ban fluoride. I got the same answers then that I got today in terms of scientific research. I want the expert working group to answer the question. We have heard both sides of the argument but we, as parliamentarians, need a scientific answer on the fluoride product used.

There is no fluoridation in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, and only 10% in England. Ireland is sixth in the World Health Organization league for dental decay and four of the countries with a ban on fluoridation are ahead of us on the league table. Why?

I support the Government's motion. I am not a scientist but I respect the scientists that have submitted their views to us. I also respect the expert working group on fluoridation. I ask the Minister of State to ask the scientific working group to update its information on its website because it is quite old and needs to be reviewed. The motion also seeks a review. When I looked at the website I discovered that the last report covered the period of 2004-08. I want a new factual report on fluoridation prepared that consists of the latest scientific research.

The expert group submitted a report in 2004. The group was established in 2004 to monitor new and emerging issues on fluoride, its effects on health and related matters. It advised that the balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirmed that water fluoridation at the optimal level - and it is important to note that term - does not cause any ill effects and is the safest and the most cost-effective method of protecting the oral health of the population. I refer to the scientific report of the group that the Government established in 2002 which submitted its first report in 2004. We need new information that is up to date because science has moved on. I could not find current information on the website. Perhaps it does exist. All I found was information that dated back to 2008 but science moves very fast.

I support the Government's motion because I am no wiser now about water fluoridation than I was 15 years ago. The health programme has improved the oral health of the population, especially in children. However, the other side of the campaign states that fluoride is corrosive and leads to bad dental enamel and everything else that goes with it. People also endorse the view that fluoride is the best available and most reliable option because scientific evidence has indicated that the maximum permitted level of fluoridation of water is safe. I shall not repeat the figure because Members have already heard it.

Northern Ireland is our nearest neighbour but it does not add fluoride to water. Irish Water will be known as Uisce Éireann when the legislation is enacted. It will soon be established. River basin districts will be divided regionally.

With the establishment of Uisce Éireann we must have a commonality of approach, given the fact that river basin districts are divided regionally, and that one of our river basin districts straddles the Border with Northern Ireland. I am a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and what is good for the goose is good for the gander. They have decided, for some scientific reason, to ban it in Northern Ireland.