Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I must say that it is an issue about which I am most concerned. We often hear scaremongering when new technologies or particular products are developed that they may pose a health risk. While that always is debatable, in this case, it is not. Radon poses a clear risk to health, as the Senator has mentioned. It is something of which we all need to become more aware. It is there and can be dealt with.

The Government published a national radon control strategy, NRCS, in 2014. It recommended a broad range of measures aimed at reducing the risk from radon to people living in Ireland. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications - and I apologise that the Minister is not available this morning- chairs the NRCS steering group tasked with implementing the strategy. The group brings together key Departments and agencies to deal with the issue.

The first phase of the strategy had tangible outcomes including the provision of extensive information and the inclusion of a question on radon testing in the conveyancing process for house sales. That is most significant and will add to general public awareness, aside from being a practically important measure.

Phase 2 of the strategy was published in 2019, along with a document on knowledge gaps indicating areas that would benefit from further research. Phase 2 of the strategy has 33 actions to be implemented over five years and 20 topics within the strategy are to be addressed over the five years. Supporting households financially is a key priority of the second phase of the strategy. Behavioural research is also ongoing. The Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, is carrying out significant work in that area. Once that work is done, the Government will give careful consideration to designing an appropriate radon financial support scheme for householders. Another priority of the second phase of the strategy is translating awareness into action. In a point that applies to both the Government and the public, awareness about radon does not always translate into action. It is important that we take action because we know about the risks. While we are always willing to take action as a populace when new perceived health threats emerge, this is a long-standing health threat. We need to more to tackle it as a populace and we need to be more aware of it. We also need to do more in terms of Government supports, which are now being provided as part of the strategy.

There are some other initiatives that are being undertaken to tackle the issue. The EPA has rolled out a pilot project in County Wexford to make digital radon monitors available to library members for up to a month to test their homes for radon. The results of the project will be reviewed. Hopefully, it will lead to more wide-scale availability of tests. A major research study has been undertaken in conjunction with the National University of Ireland, Galway, NUIG, on the use of passive sumps. This technology adapts the standby sump currently installed in all new-build homes. The study has shown encouraging results in field tests carried out in County Wexford. When available, the results of this project will be considered and recommendations will follow. In addition, the radon map has been updated. A significantly enhanced version of the map is on the way.

I thank the Senator for raising the issue.