Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 188: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the forum on fluoridation will be wound up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19139/05]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 190: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the annual cost to her Department of the forum on fluoridation since 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19142/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 190 together.

The forum on fluoridation was established in May 2000 and held its first meeting in September 2000. The forum on fluoridation concluded in September 2002 with the launch of the report of the forum on fluoridation.

The annual cost of the forum on fluoridation since 2000 is as follows:

Although the forum on fluoridation concluded in 2002, there were some outstanding expenses due.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 189: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when legislation reducing the amount of fluoride in public water supplies will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19140/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy is aware, a forum on fluoridation was established to review the fluoridation of public piped water supplies in Ireland. The forum report's main conclusion was that the fluoridation of public piped water supplies should continue as a public health measure.

In all the report of the forum on fluoridation made 33 recommendations covering a broad range of topics such as research, public awareness, policy and technical aspects of fluoridation and the establishment of an expert body to oversee the implementation of the recommendations.

The Irish expert body on fluorides and health held its inaugural meeting in April 2004. The terms of reference of the expert body are: to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the forum on fluoridation; to advise the Minister and evaluate ongoing research, including new emerging issuesm, on all aspects of fluoride and its delivery methods as an established health technology and as required; and to report to the Minister on matters of concern at his/her request or on its own initiative.

The expert body on fluorides and health is currently examining the regulations governing fluoridation of public piped water supplies with the aim of making proposals to me for the purposes of implementing the recommendation of the forum to reduce the level of fluoride in public piped water supplies. As part of this exercise the expert body is carrying out a census of public piped water supplies and when this work is complete the expert body will make recommendations to me in relation to the updating of the current regulations.