Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Health the way he has prevented the possibility of bias towards fluoridation issues within the members of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health; the way he intends to maintain fairness, transparency, and impartiality in the group's advice to his Department; the way he justifies that current members engage in granting independent advice to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30172/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health and its sub-committees have broad representation from areas such as dentistry, biochemistry, environmental health and public health medicine. The expert body's reports, position statements and minutes of its meetings are published on its website to ensure transparency. In evaluating ongoing research on all aspects of fluoridation, the expert body accepts the fundamental scientific tenet that any single piece of scientific evidence by itself remains hypothetical unless it can be repeated or confirmed by other scientists. Therefore, it considers scientific evidence that has been submitted to examination by other scientists, usually by publication in recognised peer reviewed scientific journals, after such publication has been approved by independent referees. This ensures that the advice provided by the expert body is impartial and evidence-based.