Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 182: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to current media and television adverts on the benefits of folic acid by the health promotion unit of her Department, the way in which a person can make a submission or offer an opinion on the issue to the health promotion unit in writing or by telephone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19078/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The national committee on folic acid food fortification, whose secretariat is provided by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, is tasked with reviewing options for the fortification of foods with folic acid in view of the relatively high level of neural tube defects, NTDs, in Ireland. In carrying out this work the committee will address the broader issues that would be involved in the event that it is decided to proceed with fortification with folic acid, including the technical issues regarding fortification, addressing risk and examining other reported health benefits that are linked to fortification.

The FSAI has initiated a public consultation process and members of the public who wish to comment on these issues should access the relevant website for details on how to make a submission; alternatively, they can contact the FSAI by telephone, 1890 33 66 77. It should be noted that the latest date for the receipt of submissions is 24 June next.