Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the presence of dioxins in bottled water exposed to sunlight has been determined; and if precautionary public health measures are required to minimise exposure to dioxins. [16246/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been advised by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland that the formation of dioxins in bottled water as a result of exposure to sunlight is highly unlikely as dioxin formation requires very high temperatures which would not be reached during exposure to sunlight in this way. Accordingly, it has not been considered necessary to establish maximum levels for dioxins in bottled water at European level given that their presence or formation is highly unlikely.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of bottled water companies here which source their water from public water sources; the number of bottled water companies which source their water from private water schemes; and if fluoridated water in bottles should be labelled as such. [16247/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The information requested in relation to where bottled water companies source their water from is being collated by the Food Safety Authority Ireland in conjunction with the Health Service Executive and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

With regard to the requirements for labelling of fluoridated water the position is that there are three categories of bottled water - natural mineral water, spring water and other water, that is water which is neither a natural mineral water nor a spring water. European legislation and the corresponding Irish regulations (S.I No 225 of 2007) require that in the case of natural mineral waters with a fluoride concentration exceeding 1.5 milligrams per litre the label shall bear the following words (a) "contains more than 1.5 mg/l of fluoride: not suitable for regular consumption by infants and children under seven years of age", and (b) an indication as to the actual fluoride content.