Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I join my colleague, Senator Bannon, in calling for a debate on radon gas. According to the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, 13% of lung cancer deaths in this country can be attributed to radon — more than 200 people die as a result of it every year. The World Health Organisation has stated that the rate in Ireland is much greater than the global rate. This serious matter should be discussed in the House.

The Government's policy on nursing homes and the proposed inspectorate is a shambles. The attitude of the Government and the Health Service Executive to what has happened is similar to what one would expect from Pontius Pilate. There is an urgent need for a debate on this issue and I hope we can have such a debate next week.