Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

With effect from 2014, Irish Water was assigned responsibility for this matter and took over from the local authorities. However, as has been stated previously, the Minister for Health has set up an expert body to advise him on fluoridation of water supply. Its membership is representative of public health and consumer interests, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland - I was not aware of any resignation from the expert body by a representative from the authority as I do not have that detail - the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Health, my Department and a number of others.

In light of this, I do not believe it is appropriate to provide a role for a consumer body in this area, as the expert group is already in place and will make recommendations to the Minister. I do not see any point in creating an overlap or in two groups doing the same work. I suggest the expert body should make the recommendations on this important issue. I understand the Seanad debated this issue in October and it may wish to invite the Minister for Health, who has responsibility for this area, to appear before it.

I wish to make a few further points. Fluoride occurs naturally in water supplies. In many parts of the world the amount of fluoride in the water is naturally optimal for dental health. In regard to our water supply, the Department of Health funds the cost of putting fluoride in our water. The issue is also covered by drinking water regulations, which are overseen by the EPA. The drinking water regulations provide that a maximum allowable level of 0.8 mg fluoridation per litre of water. Where fluoride occurs naturally in water, the limit is 1 mg per litre. The EPA monitors compliance with these regulations.

The debate on this issue has been wide ranging and interesting. I understand passions run high and that fluoridation has been in the public consciousness over the past ten to 15 years and debated for even longer both here and in other European jurisdictions. I will not say other Europeans were right to get rid of fluoridation, but those countries may not have had regulations in place. I am not a scientist or an expert on public health, but while it is right to have concerns, some of the tone of the debate here has been alarmist. It was almost suggested we are in the process of poisoning our people. That is not what is happening.

There was a basis for including fluoride in our water. We can debate that and perhaps this House should lead that debate. It is probably the right forum for it and I understand it has had a debate on the issue.