Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he will take arising from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland report that suggests that 10% of new dwellings constructed with radon protection barriers have high levels of radon. [30416/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Part C, Site Preparation and Moisture Resistance, of the building regulations and the related technical guidance document, TGD C, require that new houses in high radon areas commencing on or after 1 July 1998 incorporate the following radon prevention measures in the foundations: radon proof membrane; and a standby radon sump which can be activated if the radon membrane is not fully effective in keeping the indoor radon level below the national reference level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre, 200 Bq/m3.

RPII surveys of new houses commenced since 1 July 1998 in the high radon areas of Ennis, Kilkenny and Tralee have shown that the radon-proof membrane has significantly reduced the percentage of new dwellings with radon above the national reference level, compared with what would be expected on the basis of RPII survey results for radon in existing dwellings.

However, to further reduce the incidence of high radon levels in new buildings, including new dwellings, I published a revised edition of TGD C in October 2004, which applies to new dwellings commencing on or after 1 April 2005. The revised edition of TGD C specifies that membranes be independently certified as fit for radon proofing; that membranes be carefully installed; and that membranes be protected from damage after installation. The guidance also recommends that a radon survey be carried out after the new dwelling is completed and occupied and again after remediation action, should that prove necessary.