 Studies from the late 1970s to mid 1990s showed a decrease in (and lower incidence of) dental decay in school children living in areas where water was fluoridated than in areas where water was not fluoridated.The government of the Republic of Ireland has yet to carry out a public health survey on the effects of fluoridation, even though this is required to under the 1960 "Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act".A private member's bill to end fluoridation was defeated in the Dáil on 12 November 2013.