Phil Prendergast (Labour)

I wish to raise the matter of the recent discovery of high levels of radon gas in a home in County Tipperary. A sense of complacency may arise concerning radon gas levels due to the maps detailing projections of high radon gas levels. The maps may lead to a false sense of security for many who think they are safe because there is a low level in their area. Legislation governing the building industry requires that new homes built since 1998 must have a radon barrier, but this barrier is just a sheet of plastic. Before a sub-floor is laid, the sheet may have a hole punctured in it to drain off water that may have accrued on it. In this country, we are very likely to have water accruing.

The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, should be mandated and given funding to conduct studies on the effectiveness of radon barriers. Radon gas is a killer, with 200 deaths attributed to it every year. The Seanad must debate this issue as people's health is at risk. Radon barriers do not protect houses from rising levels of radon gas. In some states in America, dwellings several storeys high have been shown to have excessive radon levels while a dwelling next door had what are termed "effective levels".

It is time for a debate on this matter and for the RPII to assess the dangers of radon gas levels to people in both new and old houses across the country. We have much more knowledge on health needs and issues which must be examined.