James Bannon (Fine Gael)

Like other Members, I am delighted to see you back in the Chair today in good health, a Chathaoirligh. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the House for a debate on why the Government axed grants for householders to engage contractors to remove radon gas. The procedure costs from €3,000 to €5,000. The grants that were made available in the past helped to save many lives. A survey published in today's national newspapers reveals that over 250,000 people are at high risk from radon gas, which affects some 91,000 homes. A kit, which costs €45, is available from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland to test one's home for the presence of radon gas. In the interests of safety, we should encourage householders to avail of that kit. Approximately 200 people die each year as a result of lung cancer so it is important that the House debates this matter in the near future. People throughout the country are at risk from radon gas so this time bomb should be eliminated as soon as possible.