Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I listened with intent to the Minister. I was slightly confused because he said at the start it is not possible to accept this amendment because the radon strategy reports are not statutory and therefore we cannot have a statutory provision. At the end he says he is willing to lay the reports he has to hand before the Oireachtas, which in a sense is exactly what we are looking to do with the amendment, to report annually. I might come back on Report Stage to see if there are other examples where non-statutory reports are laid before the House on a statutory basis. I do not see that as a reason why it cannot be done.

With regard to the various agencies and where the authority lies, my understanding is the key role of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, is as the expert in identifying risk areas. That is the significant information. It is really important. When we are aware, as Deputy Stanley says, of those red zones, then we really have to kick into action to make sure all houses - not just rental houses although there is a particular problem in those - including new builds are covered. We are talking about taking action that will save five lives a week and prevent the huge trauma that comes with lung cancer that arises from proximity to these gases. It can be alleviated at relatively low cost. That is the really critical point. It is not an impossible issue to address if one has good information.

I will return to the core point about providing the detailed analysis from the EPA or other agencies in a public way in order that landlords, homeowners, builders, public services and others will target the problem that exists. I stand by the amendment. I might come back on whether it is legally possible to have a statutory call to report on something that does not have a statutory provision. If it is the case, maybe the Minister could come back with an amendment that would give the report the statutory footing to allow us to do it.