Martin Brady (Fianna Fail)

I wish to share my time with Senator O'Donovan. I welcome the Minister of State as we discuss this very important subject.

There is a very low level of awareness of radon gas levels, as previous speakers noted. I knew very little of it until I read up on it yesterday evening. We must zone in on this and ensure the level of awareness is increased. There are many ways of doing this. In workplaces nowadays, for instance, there are health and safety committees and officers. They should be fully briefed on the problems and a level of awareness might be increased in that way. If one used that vehicle, the RPII or the Health and Safety Authority could brief those people. Most health and safety committees in the workplace run courses about general workplace health and safety issues. They should also provide information on radon gas. It is alarming that Ireland has among the highest levels of this killer gas in the world. The health and safety statements employers are required to publish in the workplace should also include information on radon. This would also create awareness in homes.

Few people are aware that it is possible to have one's home tested for radon gas. I only learned this was possible when the Minister of State spoke. This information should be made more widely available in the public domain.

In 2004, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government published technical guidance on radon prevention in new buildings which commenced construction after 1 April 2005. The guidance was aimed at strengthening the 1997 provisions. Few people, even among those involved in heath and safety issues, are aware of this guidance.

The degree of radon protection required is independent of whether a site is located in a high radon area. Such areas are identified by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland as areas where in excess of 10% of houses are expected to have radon gas levels above the national reference level. Under the Building Control Act 1990, compliance with the building regulations is primarily the responsibility of the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Local building control authorities are empowered to monitor buildings for compliance and take enforcement action if necessary. Are the regulations being enforced? Are the local authorities monitoring compliance and taking enforcement action? It is important to ascertain whether all the relevant parties are rowing in and playing their part.

Events such as the national radon forum opened by the Minister of State in the Royal College of Physicians create awareness of radon. Information is crucial because one cannot do much about something if one does not know about it. We should pursue this track and ensure awareness is increased in an efficient manner. I reiterate that this could be done by local health and safety committees.