Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is concerned that fluoridation of water poses a threat to the environment; the status of the Fluoride (Repeal of Enactments) Bill 2002 introduced by him; if passing of that Bill remains a non-negotiable demand on the part of his party in respect of future service in Government as stated by him on 7 February 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28446/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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A Forum on Fluoridation was established to review the fluoridation of public water supplies in Ireland. The Report of the Forum, published in 2002, concluded that water fluoridation has been very effective in improving the oral health of the Irish population, especially of children, but also of adults and the elderly. The Forum recommended that the fluoridation of piped public water supplies should continue as a public health measure.

The effectiveness of water fluoridation in preventing dental decay continues to be endorsed by a comprehensive range of international bodies including the World Health Organization, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States Public Health Service and the United States Surgeon General, the FDI World Dental Federation and the International Association for Dental Research. In addition, these bodies are also satisfied that ingestion of fluoride at optimal levels does not pose a threat to human health.

The Forum on Fluoridation recommended that an Expert Body be established. The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health was set up in 2004 to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Forum; to advise the Minister and evaluate ongoing research — including new emerging issues — on all aspects of fluoride and its delivery methods as an established health technology and as required and report to the Minister on matters of concern at her request or on its own initiative. More details on the Expert Body are available on their website www.fluoridesandhealth.ie.

Finally, the new Programme for Government contains a commitment to carry out a national study of total fluoride intake in the population and work on this study is underway.