Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The creation and implementation of the national radon control strategy, NRCS, is an administrative and managerial issue for the merged organisations and is not appropriate for primary legislation. I remind the Deputy that a comprehensive NRCS is currently in place. Its purpose is to reduce risk to the population generally and to individuals living in areas with high radon concentration. The strategy contains recommendations on a broad range of measures aimed at reducing radon risk to people in Ireland and these are set out in six thematic areas. As I stated in my opening speech, the NRCS sets out some 48 recommendations with the ultimate aim of reducing the number of radon related lung cancer cases, which amounts to 250 cases per year. Successful implementation of the strategy will require action from a range of Government Departments, public bodies and other stakeholders. The co-ordination group, chaired by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, has been established to monitor the implementation of the strategy and report annually on progress. At the end of a four year period covered by the NRCS action plan the group is to make recommendations to the Government on necessary future actions.

I do not propose to accept this amendment.

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