Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators who contributed to this productive and thought-provoking debate on the hazards posed by radon gas. We discussed the protection measures implemented to date and future strategies to further remediate Ireland's radon problem. I will consider fully the views and opinions expressed by Senators which my officials have noted carefully. Their contributions reflect the importance of this subject as a public health issue and they will be noted as we develop future policy.

In concluding the debate, it is appropriate that I address areas in which it is proposed to focus our efforts to tackle the problems posed by radon. I referred to a report, entitled Radiation Doses Received by the Irish Population, which identified three areas where further studies could prove useful.

On radon in homes, the present estimates of radon in our national housing stock are based on measurements taken between 1992 and 1997 and national statistics of the housing stock in 2000. Since then, the housing stock has increased from 1.3 million to 1.7 million units. Ireland's building regulations have been revised and radon prevention measures are now required in all new homes built since July 1998. The influence of both these factors on the distribution of radon in homes should be assessed and revised and individual and collective dose estimates derived therefrom.

On the issue of radon in above ground workplaces, Ireland is one of the few countries worldwide to have undertaken a detailed assessment of the importance of radon exposure in the workplace and its contribution to total dose. The RPII is to be acknowledged for its pioneering work in this area. It is estimated that radon accounts for almost 98% of the total occupational radiation dose received in the workplace. Revised Estimates should be prepared as more information becomes available. Whether statistically significant differences in radon concentrations exist between different building types should also be explored. A very extensive body of data now exists on radon concentrations as well as the costs and effectiveness of radon remediation in Irish schools. Cost-benefit analyses should be undertaken to compare different remediation strategies in homes and schools, to identify the optimum approach towards reducing radon exposures. Any radon study should be carried out in close co-operation with existing radon remediation companies and the building industry. My Department will work in close partnership with the RPII to further develop these suggested areas of study.

The RPII has submitted a discussion document to my Department, which contains a number of suggestions aimed at increasing the rate at which homes with high radon concentrations are identified and subsequently remediated. The plan identifies the following initiatives for consideration: high profile information and media campaign to be managed jointly by the RPII, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Health and Children; a study to be commissioned on the feasibility of including radon measurement and remediation in the house conveyancing process; improved implementation of the building regulations to further reduce radon concentrations on newly built homes; the number of such homes and radon concentrations above the reference level; the home bond scheme to be extended to include the installation of radon barriers and sumps; a programme for free radon measurements in high radon areas; and some financial assistance for householders where there are reductions of radon concentrations above the national reference level.

The RPII recommendations are broad in scope and go beyond the responsibilities of any one organisation. It is clear that inter-agency co-ordination and co-operation will be required to make progress on these issues and my Department will be engaging with other key stakeholders in this regard. I will comment on some of the points raised.

Senator Coffey talked about the map on the website. By January 2009 there will, hopefully, be a new map, updated by the RPII. I fully agree with his comments about the role of local authorities and the need for a contact point there. Senator Glynn again raised the issue of inter-agency co-operation. This is very important. The HSE, my Department and the RPII are very much involved in dealing with those issues. I also agree with Senator Quinn who talked about the need to spread the message. I have answered some of the issues relating to funding which will be looked at in the future.

As regards Senator Bradford's point on radon testing and remediation services to local authorities — I am aware of his interest in the north Cork area — a departmental working group was formed in 2008 with representatives from the RPII and the social housing, environmental radiation policy and building standards sections. The purpose of the working group was to develop guidance and support for local authorities on addressing the risk from radon in social housing. The aim of such guidance was to minimise the risk posed by radon on social housing through agreed, co-ordinated and cost-effective measures, drawing on the successful inter-agency approach employed in north Cork as well as the experience of other local authorities and the expertise of the RPII. There is ongoing dialogue on those issues.

An issue was raised by Senator Hannigan in relation to radon protection schemes. I would like to promote such schemes and to improve the communications on those issues. Senator Martin Brady raised a very good point of the message in the workplace, which we are very keen to promote. He said the message was also being brought home by those workers who had experience of this type of study. Senator O'Donovan made a point about the radiation from power lines. Power lines, I understand, produce non-ionising radiation. The RPII is responsible for ionising radiation and we have not, as yet, availed of its expertise on non-ionising radiation. However, the RPII's mandate is to be expanded to include non-ionising radiation, which will be phased in, and I hope to have further information on that. He also raised the building regulations for newer houses, which I have dealt with.

On the other point he made about the radiation booklet, that is available free on the RPII website. It is important to put that message out loud and clear. The majority of public buildings have been evaluated. We have identified significant areas in the radiation doses report as regards evaluating the effective building regulations and radon levels as an area for future study. I hope we will have more information on that in the future.

I have every confidence that the studies undertaken and the data accumulated, together with the partnership approach we are adopting, will serve us well in facing up to the challenges posed by radon and ultimately reduce the exposure levels of the public to the damaging effects of radiation. I am very glad to have had the opportunity to have this debate in the House.