Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2004
209 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to test existing local government housing stock for radon levels; if new local authority houses will be tested for radon levels before being allocated to new tenants; and his plans for radon testing. [14910/04]
View answerI do not propose to make radon testing in existing or new dwellings mandatory. My Department is not aware of any precedent for mandatory testing in other member states.
Under part C of the national building regulations, dwellings, including new local authority dwellings, commencing construction on or after 1 July 1998 must incorporate radon reduction measures. In high radon areas, where more than 10% of existing houses exceed the national reference level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre, foundations must incorporate radon proof membrane and a standby radon extraction sump. In other areas foundations must incorporate a standby radon extraction sump.
Later this year my Department will publish enhanced technical guidelines on compliance with the radon reduction requirements in the building code.
