Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley. I thank the Senator for raising this issue. The Government's approach to radon, which is similar to that of the majority of EU member states, is to concentrate efforts on increasing public awareness of the risks posed by the gas in the home. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, which is the national organisation with regulatory, monitoring and advisory responsibilities in matters pertaining to ionising radiation, which includes radon, offers a radon advisory service as part of its remit, which is partly funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In particular the RPII concerns itself with hazards to health associated with ionising radiation and with radioactive contamination in the environment from both natural and artificial sources.

Radon is a known carcinogen and long-term exposure to high radon levels presents a direct risk to human health. The epidemiological evidence tells us that it is also a public health issue. There is now a consensus that an integrated approach, involving building and health professionals, local authorities, the radon measurement industry and communication experts, must be adopted.

Everyone needs to be aware of the risks from radon and the potential health consequences if people are exposed to high radon concentrations. This is especially true in those areas designated as high radon areas where the risk of such exposure is greater. The RPII recommends that every householder have homes tested for radon. The RPII, as well as a number of private companies, offers a radon measurement service to householders, with the cost of this service approximately €56. Members of the public can access information on radon on the RPII website, www.rpii.ie, and publications and information leaflets about radon can be downloaded free of charge. The RPII can also be contacted on freefone 1800 300 600.

A joint position statement on radon, Radon Gas in Ireland: Joint Position Statement by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and the Health Service Executive, issued to the Ministers, Deputy Mary Harney and Deputy John Gormley, in April this year. This recommends that the issue should be addressed on a number of fronts by a number of different Departments and agencies working together to put an effective strategy in place.

Reducing radon health effects requires long-term commitment at local, national and global levels. This can best be achieved by concentrating resources through an inter-agency approach and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will continue to work with other key stakeholders in this regard. The Department will continue to work closely with the RPII, the HSE, local authorities and other interested agencies to raise public awareness and promote radon testing and remediation works. A multi-agency approach to dealing with radon is in line with international best practice, as recommended by the World Health Organisation's international radon project which was co-funded by the Irish Government. I hope the information is helpful and I thank the Senator for raising the matter in the House.