Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I am sure Mr. Daniel Day-Lewis or any other stars will have little difficulty in dealing with the remedial issues mentioned in the Radiological Protection Institute review.

It is a serious issue and has been for some years. The Radiological Protection Institute has undertaken several reviews that highlight how people can take preventative measures with regard to this issue, at minimum cost to themselves. People should follow this advice. A significant number of people die from the effects of radon gas. The surveys of which I have been aware for the past ten years have been based on trying to assist people through providing free advice on the actions they should take.

A former Minister of State came to the Cabinet a number of times in recent years and pointed out that most surveys showed that if people take remedial action, the problem can be eliminated. There are difficulties with regard to older houses in the State, which are not bound by new building regulations. The surveys indicate, however, that those difficulties can be overcome at minimum cost. I presume Deputy Rabbitte is not raising this issue with regard to new houses. As he knows, the greater number of houses built since 1970 are governed by the new regulations, which take account of radon gases. This has worked well.

There are no means to deal with this issue in regard to older houses other than by people taking interest and advice. People are given free advice as to how they should deal with the issue. I am not sure what more can be done. It is not a question of having to rebuild or restructure one's house. I do not wish to be flippant but Deputy Rabbitte is aware that these are basic issues that are all centred around ventilation in the summer in particular. This is how the build-up of these gases occurs. The solutions are not complex or costly.

See this speech in context