Minutes of proceedings of the Plenary Meeting of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health held in the Boardroom, Corrigan House, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 on Wednesday, 24th March 2010  
Present:	Dr Seamus O’Hickey (Chairman), Dr Brian O’Herlihy (Vice-Chair), Dr Wayne Anderson, Mr Rowland Reece, Mr Colm Keenan, Mr Michael Kilcoyne, Mr Denis Lyons, Councillor Jack Bourke, Mr Stephen McDermott, Dr Joe Mullen, Mr Ray Parle

In attendance: 	From Secretariat : Ms Patricia Gilsenan-O’Neill, Ms Etain Kett, Ms Pheena Kenny.

Apologies:	Professor Denis O’Mullane, Professor John Clarkson, Ms Teresa Cody 

EB Minute 01/10:  Apologies
Apologies for the meeting were noted.

EB Minute 02/10:  Minutes of the last meeting (11th November 2009)
These minutes were agreed and were then signed by the Chairman.

EB Minute 03/10:  Matters Arising
It was noted that the Department of Health and Children intends to revisit the draft National Oral Health Policy and update it taking into consideration recent development including changes arising from Budget 2010. It was further noted that the Department has suggested a deadline of 1st June 2010 for the completion of this work.

It was noted that the matter of the Osteoporosis and Hip Fracture Database has been referred to the NEI Sub-Committee

It was noted that the FAQ section on the Expert Body website was currently being redeveloped and will be referred to the Executive Committee for their review.

It was noted that regarding the vacant post of dental advisor within the Department of Health and Children, the HSE are appointing a Clinical Lead for the Public Dental Service. It was further noted that the Clinical Lead will not fulfil the role of policy advisor within the Department. It was proposed to monitor this situation. 

It was noted that SCHER, has not yet published preliminary opinion based on submissions made regarding Hydrofluosilicic Acid in drinking water. It was further noted that the Agenda for SCHER Plenary Meeting 24th March 2010 included a new request for opinions by commission services on a derogation on the Drinking Water Directive 98/53/EC.

It was noted that the Expert Body has not written to the Health Research Board outlining its priorities for research due to correspondence received from Martin Devine, HSE, regarding biomonitoring.

It was noted that the matter of a panel/spokesperson for Media purposes will be referred to the Executive Committee.

EB Minute 04/10:  Correspondence
Correspondence was noted from Mr Liam Ryan, Authorised Officer, National Consumer Agency to Ms. Etain Kett, Secretariat, 22nd March 2010, in relation to the Pure H20 Company Limited and it was further noted that it has been liquidated since 23rd December 2009

Email correspondence was noted from Dr Justin Roche to Ms. Etain Kett, Secretariat, 22nd March 2010, submitting his resignation to the Expert Body

Correspondence from Dr Seamus O’Hickey, Chairman, the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health to Dr Justin Roche, 13th January 2010, in relation to Expert Body membership. 

Correspondence from Ms. Teresa Cody, Principal Officer, Primary Care Division Department of Health and Children to Dr Seamus O’Hickey, Chairman, the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, 11th March 2010, regarding Ireland’s representation at the Council of European Chief Dental Officers meetings.

Correspondence from the Kerry Research Group to the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides, 8th March 2010, regarding water fluoridation was noted. It was further noted that the Secretariat forwarded a detailed statement from the Expert Body along with a copy of the “50 Questions” as answered by the Department of Health and Children and a copy of the Expert Body’s “Progress Report 2004 – 2008”

Correspondence was noted from Dr Máire O’Connor to Dr Seamus O’Hickey, Chairman of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, 9th February 2010, submitting her resignation to the Expert Body. It was further noted that Dr O’Connor had declined an invitation by the National Fluoride Information Centre inviting her to be an independent advisor on matters relating to fluoridation and human health due to changing and increasing work commitments.

Correspondence from Ms Oonagh Eustace, Food Safety Authority of Ireland to Ms. Etain Kett, 18th February 2010, regarding the “Bottled Water Draft Guidance Note” Consultation and the submission received from the Expert Body.

Correspondence from Dr Seamus O’Hickey, Chairman of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health to Mr Tom Kirby, Secretary, Water Services National Training Group, 20th January 2010,  regarding training of all Water Services Personnel involved in the operation and maintenance of fluoride dosing installations.

Correspondence from Dr Seamus O’Hickey, Chairman of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health to Mr Matt Twomey, Assistant City Manager, 13th January 2010, regarding Expert Body membership. 

Correspondence from Mr Seamus Lyons, Assistant City Manager to Dr Seamus O’Hickey, Chairman of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, 22nd January 2010. It was further noted that the Expert Body is awaiting advice from the Department of Health and Children in relation to this matter.

Correspondence was noted from Mr Martin Devine, Assistant National Director, Population Health Environmental Health, HSE to City/County Managers, 24th July 2009, requesting feedback in relation to the local authority audit reports as part of the National Audit.

Correspondence was noted from Dr Seamus O’Hickey, Chairman of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health to Mr Chris Fitzgerald, Principal Officer, Public Health Division, Department of Health and Children, 24th November 2009, regarding the Department’s nominee on the Executive Committee

Correspondence was noted from Ms. Teresa Cody, Principal Officer, Primary Care Division, Department of Health and Children to Dr Seamus O’Hickey, Chairman of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, 10th December 2009, regarding the Department’s nominee on the Executive Committee.

Correspondence was noted from Mr Martin Devine, Assistant National Director, Population Health Environmental Health, HSE to Dr Seamus O’Hickey, Chairman of the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, 19th November 2009, regarding biomonitoring.

EB Minute 05/10:  Future Role of the Expert Body
It was noted that the Department of Health and Children are actively considering the future role
of the Expert Body. It was agreed that the further details regarding Expert Body membership would be submitted to the Department.

EB Minute 06/10: National Audit of Water Treatment Plants
It was noted that the National Audit of Water Treatment Plants would be discussed under the Report of the Quality Assurance Sub-Committee.

EB Minute 07/10: Report of the Sub-committees
The Quality Assurance Sub-committee reported the following:
•	It was noted that agreed amendments from the QA Sub-committee for the draft National Audit Report and feedback from the local authorities in relation to the local authority reports were forwarded to TOBIN
•	It was noted that the final draft National Audit Report will be forwarded to the Executive and Plenary members for their comment. 
•	It was noted that the Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will be fully briefed on the final report before publication 
•	It was noted that questions raised in a PQ regarding the National Audit will be revisited upon publication of the final report.
•	It was noted that a draft communications plan regarding the National Audit is being considered by the QA Sub-Committee
•	It was noted that there was no update in relation to the HSE National Fluoridation Steering Committee as a meeting has not taken place since the last Plenary Meeting.

The New and Emerging Issues Sub-committee reported the following:
•	An update on the latest papers/documents reviewed by the NEI Sub-committee was given. It was noted that these papers reviewed for New and Emerging Issues were not of significance to Ireland and that the studies were looking at biological effects of the element fluoride on certain cellular process in relatively high doses.
•	It was noted that a Cochrane Review has been carried out on “Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents” Walsh et al. It was further noted that there is no evidence for use of low fluoride toothpaste, which supports the Forum on Fluoridation Recommendation and that this is now an international standard.
•	It was noted that new guidelines issued by the European Association of Paediatric Dentistry for the use of fluoridated toothpaste were reviewed by the NEI Sub-Committee. It was further noted that in light of the Cochrane Review of paediatric toothpaste that EADP might be asked to review their recommendations.
•	It was noted that “Guidelines for the use of fluorides” – New Zealand Guidelines Group Recommendations for the use of fluoridated toothpaste are similar to those of the Expert Body.
•	It was noted that the Secretariat has not received any documentation to be reviewed in relation to biomonitoring
•	It was noted that Professor Denis O’Mullane will circulate the report of the 87th IADR Meeting to the NEI Sub-Committee Members.
•	It was noted that the NEI Subcommittee did not need to review the references from the Cavanhill Water Supply Scheme Lead Control Report
•	It was noted that a future agenda item would include a review by the Expert Body on the effects of fluorides of general health
•	It was noted that the target audience for “Strategies to Prevent Dental Caries in Children and Adolescents” – Oral Health Services Research Centre, Cork, is health professionals. It was further noted that the recommendations are consistent with the Forum on Fluoridation (2002) Report.
•	It was noted that contact will be made with the Irish Hip Fracture Database to enquire if data on Life Long Residential History is collected.
•	It was noted that the Cancer Registry had not found any evidence to suggest that there is a link between Osteosarcoma and Water Fluoridation.
•	It was noted that a briefing was given by Mr Rowland Reece on the Recommendations of the National Kidney Foundation, USA and Kidney Health Australia. It was further noted that the Standards of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) are adhered to in St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin and there are no issues with dialysis and fluoride.

EB Minute 08/10:  Report of Executive Committee
•	The Report on the Executive Committee’s meeting held on 3rd February 2010 was noted. 
•	It was noted that the Forum on Fluoridation website is currently not online, and that this will be followed up by the Secretariat.
•	It was noted that past members of the Expert Body have been advised to return or destroy Expert Body meeting papers in line with the Code of Practice of State Sponsored Bodies.
•	It was noted that the Department of Health and Children have confirmed a budget of €400,000 for Secretariat Costs and have acknowledged the cut of €50,000 made by the Expert Body on the 2009 budget.

EB Minute 09/10:  AOB
Ms. Etain Kett, Secretariat, gave a briefing on conferences attended relating to Climate Change and Flood Management. It was noted that the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley T.D. made reference to possible changes in water quality as a result of Climate Change and it was further noted that he intends discussing the health effects of Climate Change with the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney T.D. It was further noted that due to water conservation and levy issues the Water Services Act 2007 will be amended to include the introduction of domestic water charges. It was also noted that the establishment of a National Water Authority has been recommended in various reports for 2009 including the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes (an Bord Snip Nua), Commission on Taxation and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)

EB Minute 10/10:  Date of Next Meeting
The date for the next Plenary Meeting is Wednesday 10th November commencing at 10:30am in the Board Room, Corrigan House, Fenian Street, Dublin 2.

The Chairman thanked all for their attendance and declared the meeting closed at 12:00pm

Signed:	______________________________

Date: 		______________________________