Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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371. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the contact details of the newly established national radon control strategy co-ordination group; if it is open to receiving submissions from interested parties on the issues it is examining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26733/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The National Radon Control Strategy(NRCS), which I published on 17 February 2014, and which is available on my Department’s website at was developed by an inter-agency group, and sets out some 48 recommendations, under six thematic areas, with the ultimate aim of reducing the number of radon-related lung cancer cases.

In developing the Strategy, my Department conducted a public consultation process in the period from 17 January to 1 March 2013 and sought submissions, comments and opinions from interested parties. This was to ensure that those who wished to contribute to the process of framing Government policies in relation to radon would have an opportunity to have their voice heard. Over 1,000 comments from interested groups, stakeholders and members of the public were received and considered in the finalisation of the Strategy.

Successful implementation of the Strategy will require action from a range of Government Departments, public bodies and other stakeholders and so will require clear identification of responsibilities, good co-ordination between the various stakeholders and effective monitoring of progress. Accordingly, I have established a National Radon Control Strategy Co-ordination Group, chaired by my Department and comprising representatives from key Departments and Agencies, to track consideration and implementation of the key recommendations in the Strategy. While my Department is always open to receiving views of interested parties on the wide range of policy issues that it oversees, the NRCS Co-ordination Group has a specific mandate to:

- co-ordinate policies and actions on radon across the relevant Departments and agencies,

- monitor implementation of the Strategy;

- report annually on progress; and

- at the end of the 4-year period covered by the action plan, make recommendations to Government on what further actions it considers necessary at that time.

Any correspondence or submissions in relation to radon issues can be directed to my Department at .