GREENS FLUORIDATION BILL WILL HALT MASS MEDICATION OF IRISH POPULATION WITH FLUORIDE!!

Green Party Dáil Health spokesperson, John Gormley T.D., launching the Bill said, "Today the Green Party is publishing the first ever Bill to repeal the Water Fluoridation Act of 1960. We are appealing to the Minister of Health to stop his prevarication on this issue and to accept the Green Party's Private Members Bill". Deputy Gormley points out that his party's objections to water fluoridation are based on a number of factors.

"Firstly, we disagree with mass medication on ethical grounds" he says."In our view freedom of choice ought to be an integral part of health care. Secondly, all studies show that we are not fluoride deficient. In fact, studies carried out in this country show that we have an excess of fluoride - which is a toxic substance- in our bodies. Thirdly,there is now a scientific consensus that fluoride works by being applied directly to the teeth and therefore does not have to be ingested. Fourthly, the increase in fluorosis, which involves unsightly structural damage to the teeth, is caused by excess levels of fluoride. Finally,there are many reports from all over the world which link fluoride with other health effects, including cancer, osteoporosis, irritable bowel syndrome and thyroid problems".

Cllr. Deirdre de Burca, Joint Health Spokesperson said that "when fluoride was introduced it may have been for the best of intentions. Ireland suffered a very high incidence of dental caries and there were very few dentists to deal with this problem. Now however, Ireland is a modern and wealthy country and levels of overall hygiene and health have improved greatly. All the evidence shows that where fluoridation is stopped there is no increase in dental caries."

"Also most toothpastes now contain fluoride and if an individual wishes to use such a toothpaste or a mouth wash containing fluoride, they have the freedom to do so. There can be no doubt that there has been a huge increase in sources of fluoride and that it therefore makes sense to stop the point source of fluoride, mainly fluoridated water."

"We have real concerns about the use of fluoridated water for babies' bottles. At the very least the Minister should put warnings on fluoridated toothpaste, as is the case in the United States, inform mothers not to use fluoridated water for baby formula and return power back to local authorities to make decisions relating to fluoridation or not."

Councillor de Burca says that "we believe that the Minister of Health should at all times rely on the precautionary principle- that is, if there is any doubt, leave it out. And there is a real doubt about fluoride at this stage".

Mr. Don MacAuley of Irish Dentists Opposing Fluoridation and the national citizens group Fluoride Free Water welcomed the Green Party's new initiative on water fluoridation. "This Fluoridation Bill will repeal the current legislation of mass-medicating the Irish population without their consent with chemical fluoride. We are also calling on other parties and individuals to support this bill and reject this unethical, unsafe and undemocratic practice."

For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org.