So the Government is planning to spend more taxpayer funds for international consultants to examine water fluoridation (Irish Examiner, March 11).

Further to Rosie Cargin’s letter on the serious risks to general health from the fluoridation of our water supplies (Letters, Feb 14), I would like to know why the Minister for Health continues to sanction the compulsory addition of this poison to our drinking water when topical application of fluoride via toothpaste and mouthwash is the most effective way to bring about the intended dental benefit?

If there is one thing we have learned from the banking disaster and the horrors of the Magdalen Laundries, it is that we should no longer place passive trust in authorities and regulators.

Eamon Ó Cuív has shaken off the straightjacket of his party’s political whip and shown much-needed leadership by his refusal to endorse the European fiscal compact before there has been any real public debate on it, and the fundamental flaws in a deeply fraudulent international banking and monetary system remain unadressed and often unrecognised.

THE last few days have been dominated by the budget. Fresh from all that Enda Kenny and team are attending the EU summit in Brussels and what might be their last chance to salvage what is left of Ireland’s fiscal and political independence.

WITH reference to Rosie Cargin’s letter expressing doubts regarding the stance that Fine Gael would adopt mass burn incineration, the Combined Residents Against Incineration (CRAI), a community-based organisation that has been opposing the proposed Poolbeg incinerator, has identical concerns.

AS 30,000 objectors in Cork, along with their democratically elected county council, near the tenth anniversary of their struggle against toxic incineration in Cork Harbour, we are alarmed to find no mention of incineration in the Fine Gael manifesto.

INDAVER’S lawyer Paul Gardiner has claimed that the proposed toxic waste incinerator would have “no adverse health impact,” provided EU directives on emission standards are met.

THE 770 students and staff in the country’s new National Maritime College are most at risk if there is an accident at Ireland’s first proposed toxic waste incinerator because they on its doorstep, a college lecturer has warned.

AS we approach the EPA’s oral hearing on the Indaver incinerator licence, on Monday, it is interesting to note last Monday’s debate on incineration at the Cork School of Culture, Chríost Rí.

LABOUR Senator Brendan Ryan has announced that he will seek the party’s nomination to stand in next summer’s European elections.