Marie Moloney (Labour)

I would like to highlight an alarming reading of radon gas in a home in Castleisland, County Kerry. The reading was found to be 185 times the acceptable level of radon gas, which is the equivalent of 125 X-rays every day for each person living in that house. It is most alarming. Dr. Ann McGarry from the RPII has confirmed that she believes Ireland has a significant radon problem and that many people are living in ignorance of it.

We campaigned long and hard in Kerry to bring BreastCheck to the county. Detecting radon is simple and inexpensive, but rectifying the problem is not. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government should come to the House and tell us his proposals to put in place grant aid to help people rectify the problem. It is very alarming in Kerry, but also along the west coast. Any of us could have it in our house. It is a silent killer and one cannot see it, taste it or smell it. We should all be aware of this and carry out the test to see if it is in our homes. The Minister will hopefully address it as soon as possible.