Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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I compliment Deputy Phelan on an excellent contribution and her article in The Irish Times of yesterday. I am grateful for the opportunity to raise the issue of radon gas and the property tax. Houses that have been affected by radon should be exempt from the property tax. To support my argument I have permission to read into the record the following letter I have received from a constituent:

In this paragraph I will give you a brief outline of my own personal situation with radon, a similar situation having been endured by some of my neighbours.


In August 2007 my wife was diagnosed with lung cancer...She had been a smoker for many years but was off them since January 2000. We were aware that houses in the area were affected by radon gas and the type of cancer contracted by my wife can be attributed directly to radon so we decided to get our house tested. We began testing in December 2007 with a kit provided to us by the RPII...In March 2008 we returned the detectors to the RPII and the readings came back excessively high...After getting advice from the RPII I called in an expert to carry out remediation work on the house and he told me it would cost 3,000 euro. As I am a tradesman I carried out the remediation work myself with help from the RPII at a cost to myself of 750 euro (the work involved included the coring of 2x4 inch holes, one at each gable to go under the floor of the house and 2 fans and associated pipework fitted to evacuate the gas and create negative pressure so the gas would no longer leak into the house.) We then commenced a re-test in April 2008 and the results came back July 2008...In 2012 we carried out another re-test to ensure our fans were working properly and they were...It is costing on average approximately 290 euro per year to run the 2 fans...and approximately 140 euro each to replace every 3.5 years. (I also wish to include that my wife passed away in March 2010 from the cancer she contracted, age 44).


As can be seen from the above I am in a predicament:1. I have a cancer causing gas under my house which is not going away.

2. I have fairly hefty costs associated with keeping this poisonous gas out of my house.

3. My house, as is every other house affected by radon in this country, is effectively worthless not unlike the people affected by pyrite, so I ask you how can I put a value on a house that is unsaleable for the purpose of the property tax as nobody would buy it because of the risks associated with living in it?

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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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.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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While I appreciate the Minister of State's preparation and delivery of his response, it is factually incorrect. I have documentation in front of me that states a person was quoted €3,000 to deal with and address the problem in his house. I also read into the record the ongoing maintenance costs for ensuring the gas is kept at bay in the house. However, the Minister of State's report suggests remediation is inexpensive and costs approximately €56. Who is right and who is wrong? This man is a case study. Unfortunately, his wife died because of living in this property. Many other people have also died. The Minister of State stated in his reply that 200 people are dying every year because of this poisonous gas.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I said they are dying from lung cancer.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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I appreciate that the Ceann Comhairle has allowed this issue be debated today as it is appropriate to raise it on the day the details of the property tax are being issued. When it comes to valuing a house for the property tax, it is wrong that these houses are not being treated in the same way as houses affected by pyrite. To look at it logically, we are telling people to value their houses at proper market value, and I believe the lowest value they can put forward is €100,000, which would mean they would pay €90 tax per year. How could we possibly tell a person that a property affected by this poisonous gas is worth €100,000? How can we say that when it would not make €100,000 on the open market? Surely be to God some amendment could be made to the legislation whereby a nominal fee could be charged on such houses. Perhaps the house might be valued at €40,000 or €50,000, but if it came up for sale who would want to buy it knowing somebody had died in it because of radon gas? I would not take ten such properties if I got them for nothing and I doubt the Chairman would either.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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There are two issues here. The first issue falls under the remit of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government as his Department has responsibility for the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and for how we deal with high levels of radon gas in domestic homes. The second issue is the treatment of the property tax. When the Revenue Commissioners values a group or cluster of homes in an area, it will put a valuation on the properties. However, as the Deputy is aware, under the legislation set out by the Minister for Finance, it is then up to individuals to challenge that valuation by way of a valuation through other means. If, as the Deputy suggests, the house in question is virtually worthless because of the circumstances, that will follow from a professional evaluation of the property.

The Deputy is concerned that this individual is in an appalling situation and I sympathise with the individual on the tragic death of his wife. In circumstances in which the individual can challenge the valuation, which he can under the legislation, he will argue that the properly is near worthless and, consequently, will not have the liability others will have. It is set out in the legislation that anyone can challenge the valuation put on a property by the Revenue Commissioners. This applies to this individual just as it does to anybody else.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Why was that not done with regard to the houses affected by pyrite then? A special exemption was made for those houses.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is aware that the Finance Bill is published today. I would advise him to submit an amendment on the issue and I am sure the Minister will deal with the matter when the Bill comes before the House.