Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

Has the Taoiseach had the opportunity to examine the annual report of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, published last Thursday? The report shows yet again that 200 people die of lung cancer directly attributable to radon gas. That is more than half the number of people who die in road accidents each year and we quite properly spend tens of millions on the effort to save lives on the roads. When does the Government intend to treat deaths from radon gas with the same seriousness?

According to the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland's report, 100,000 houses are identified as being at risk. Counties regarded as being high risk areas are Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Sligo where the chances of dying are one in 50 from a lifetime of exposure to radon. That is twice the risk of a car accident. What does the Government plan to do about this?

The Taoiseach will probably have read that Daniel Day-Lewis, who lived in County Wicklow, fled this country. I only mention him because, as a fellow thespian, the Taoiseach will have sympathy with him as a result of the radon instance in his house. As I said, I mention him because the Taoiseach would be interested in any film with the words "my left foot" in the title and may even audition for the next one because of the classes I hear he is taking in that area. What does the Government intend to do to respond to the serious matters raised in the annual report of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland?

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