David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Danish Ministry of Environment and Energy advises that toxic fluorides have never been added to the public water. Norway had a rather intense discussion on the subject some 20 years ago and the conclusion was that drinking water should not be fluoridated. Drinking water fluoridation is not allowed in Sweden because new scientific changes have not shown that it should be. The Supreme Court in the Netherlands decided there was no legal basis for fluoridation. The water supply in Northern Ireland has never been artificially fluoridated. In Austria toxic fluorides have never been added to the water supply. In the Czech Republic since 1993 drinking water has not been treated with fluoride.

There seems to be a more divided opinion that might have been reflected in the debate here. I am very concerned at the attitude to infant formula. Children are much more vulnerable because they have a much smaller body mass. We have fluoridation of water and have it from other sources.

In one of the reports, it was stated that water should not be fluoridated. This was changed, and it worries me when one changes established practice. It was stated that water should be boiled in accordance with the manufacturer's advice. No advice is given about fluoride whatever. No company ever did. It is obvious. One need not be a scientist to know but scientists will confirm it. One does not remove fluoride by boiling.