Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether the practice of fluoridation of our water supplies needs to be altered taking into account that quantities of fluoride can be monitored at process stage, but the quantities of water drank by our population cannot be monitored; his further view on whether the fluoridation process can have detrimental effects with prolonged consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32629/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The Forum on Fluoridation Report (2002) found there was no evidence of any negative health effects from the fluoridation of public water supplies. In 2011 the EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER), published its 'Opinion on critical review of any new evidence on the hazard profile, health effects, and human exposure to fluoride and the fluoridating agents of drinking water'. The main conclusions of the SCHER report are that there are no known health implications from fluoridating water at levels used in the EU.There are no plans to change the policy on fluoridation, which continues to make an effective contribution to oral health in Ireland.