asked the Minister for Health if his Department will initiate a study in this country to establish the relationship between the levels of aluminium in drinking water and the presence of Alzheimer's Disease in the population, or whether the disease is preventable if proper precautions are taken in adhering to recommended safety levels laid down by the EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Aluminium has been associated with certain neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease but it is not yet clear whether the presence of aluminium causes such conditions or not.

Some surveys carried out abroad have pointed to an association between levels of aluminium in drinking water and the incidence of Alzheimer's Disease but as in all epidemiological surveys care has to be exercised in interpreting the data as there may be other variables involved.

Further studies are being carried out at an international level into the possible relationship between aluminium and Alzheimer's Disease and I will bring the results of these studies to the attention of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, who is responsible for the protection of the public water supplies and for compliance with the EC Directive.

Is the Minister aware of a recent British study, in association with a Norwegian study, which has linked the incidence of aluminium in drinking water with that of Alzheimer's Disease? Does he not consider that a recent Irish study of Dublin drinking water should be extended to examine drinking water around the country and to establish whether or not there is a link between aluminium in drinking water and Alzheimer's Disease, given that this could be a preventable disease? Is the Minister also aware of recent quite alarming reports about high levels of aluminium in baby foods and does he propose to take any action on this front?

I am aware of the study carried out in Britain to which the Deputy has referred. Indeed, it was recorded in the Lancet on 14 January this year. That study showed that the risk of Alzheimer's Disease was 50 per cent greater in districts where the average aluminium concentrations exceed 0.11 miligrams per litre of water but that the increased risk was not associated with how much above this value the concentrations were. That report also stated that care is needed in the interpretation because as in all epidemiological surveys the possibility exists that the relation observed is due to the operation of some unknown compounding factors. It states that further studies in different populations are required to confirm these results. The group is now proceeding with a case study to investigate the relationship between dietary aluminium and Alzheimer's Disease at an individual level.

On the question of a survey carried out by a researcher from Trinity College Dublin who found that the samples taken in the Dublin area exceeded the maximum admissible concentration, which was 0.2 miligrams per litre of water, I understand my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, dealt with that question on Tuesday last, 7 February. He has plans in hand to ensure that the level is kept at that recommended by the European Community.

I am well aware of what the Minister for the Environment said in reply to my question on Tuesday last. His reply indicates a very long term interest in changing the position at the Ballymore Eustace waterworks in particular. I would like to take the Minister up on his claim that there is no evidence that the incidence of the disease increases as the amount of aluminium found in drinking water increases. My understanding is that the report found that there was a higher incidence——

Sorry to interrupt the Deputy but we must proceed by way of supplementary questions.

Is the Minister not greatly concerned, given that, as Deputy De Rossa has said, there are 20,000 people in this country who suffer from this disease which could be preventable? Finally, could he address himself to the baby foods issue and say whether he is going to investigate the incidence of aluminium in baby foods?

Certainly we will investigate the incidence of aluminium in baby foods and I will communicate with the Deputy on that matter. As far as research in Ireland is concerned, I will convey the Deputy's views to the Health Research Board who have responsibility for deciding what research they should grant aid.