Written answers

Wednesday, 18 May 2005

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Radon Gas Levels

9:00 pm

Photo of Tom HayesTom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of directives issued by the RPII to employers to measure radon gas in the workplace; the number of legal actions commenced by his Department against employers who have failed to measure radon gas in the workplace following receipt of such a direction from the RPII; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16456/05]

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Article 30(1) of the Radiological Protection Act 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Order 2000 requires employers to measure radon gas concentrations in their workplaces on being directed to do so by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII. On receipt of a direction, an employer has six months to comply with the direction. To date, the RPII has issued 2,670 directions to employers.

Failure to comply with the direction issued by the RPII is an offence under section 40 of the Radiological Protection Act 1991. Responsibility for undertaking prosecutions is a matter for the RPII and not for my Department. However, I understand that in a number of cases, where employers have failed to act following receipt of a direction, the process leading to prosecution has been put in train by the RPII. No case has yet been heard.

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