Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ireland has comparatively high levels of radon, which is a naturally occurring radioactive gas with no colour, taste or smell. Ireland's unique geology, while providing us with our beautiful landscape, also gives rise to indoor radon levels that are above the European average. Homes in Ireland with radon concentrations above the national reference level of 200 becquerels per metre cubed are quite commonly encountered. Most exposure occurs in the home. Radon gas is the main source of radiation exposure in Ireland and represents over half of the average yearly dose of radiation across the population. It is estimated that exposure to radon gas contributes to approximately 200 lung cancer deaths in Ireland each year.

However, it is possible to deal with this problem. I am advised by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government that high radon levels in homes are easy to identify and relatively simple to fix. The testing of houses for radon is a relatively straightforward and non-invasive process. It is also inexpensive, costing around €56, and if the radon levels are found to be below the national reference levels, no further action is necessary. Where radon levels are found to be high, the installation of an active radon sump is the most common and effective remediation method in Ireland. A sump can be installed in a day with little disruption because the work is carried out outside the house. This method typically reduces the highest radon concentrations by 90%. An alternative approach is to increase indoor ventilation. This can reduce radon levels by up to 50% and is thus suitable for homes with up to twice the national reference Level.

Despite good progress on radon control in schools and in social housing, testing and remediation rates in private homes remain low. The Government believes that the public profile of this silent killer needs to be raised significantly. We need to encourage more householders to test for radon, particularly those living in older housing stock, as for more than a decade it has been mandatory under the building regulations to install a radon barrier in all new homes built in high radon areas as identified by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII. The RPII is the statutory body under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with the role of ensuring that people and the environment are adequately protected from the harmful effects of ionising radiation. The real challenge is tackling the radon problem in older buildings, and particularly homes.

On the question of whether an exemption from local property tax should apply to properties affected by radon gas, the Government agreed with the recommendation of the Thornhill group that the local property tax should be centred on the principles of equity, transparency and simplicity and that a universal liability should apply to all owners of residential property with a limited number of exemptions. The local property tax is a self-assessed tax and will be coming before the House by way of the Bill that the Minister published today. As the Minister indicated to Deputy Healy-Rae on 22 January 2013, he has no plans to provide for an exemption from property tax for properties affected by radon gas.

I believe the national radon control strategy for Ireland is the most effective and appropriate way to address the issue of radon contamination and I do not feel it is appropriate to provide exemptions from the local property tax to cater for every possible adverse circumstance, particularly one which may be capable of relatively simple remediation.

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