Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

I am not sure which advice one should take. Is it better to be warm and dead or cold and alive? Some 91,000 homes have death-dealing levels of radon gas. Some 300 people die from the effects of radon gas, based on the RPII figures. I was involved directly with that agency in the first stages of having the surveys carried out and the Minister's constituency colleague, Deputy Jacob, completed the job. I am sure the Minister will be aware that the former Labour and Fianna Fáil Government decided on the advice of the RPII that a remediation grant scheme should be introduced, but the Minister has turned his face against that and has taken some new advice. He should consider some special cases. He has said he will consider council houses, which is a welcome positive step. I ask the Minister to consider those who cannot afford to carry out the remediation works, including old age pensioners and those on social welfare. We should at least have a limited scheme for those who cannot afford to carry out the works themselves. The alternative is literally to condemn these people to death in houses with high levels of radon gas. The test could be carried out before awarding the grant to ensure it is needed.

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