Vol. 558 No. 6
182 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps he intends to take to address the issue of high levels of radioactivity in wells; and if he and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland will work with local authorities to assist in the monitoring and prevention of radioactive contamination, and provide householders in high radon risk areas with free monitors to measure radon levels. [25299/02]
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 12, 31 and 56 of 28 November 2002 regarding naturally occurring uranium in drinking water from groundwater sources. As indicated in that reply, a circular letter was issued on 25 November 2002 by my Department to all local authorities with information on procedures for monitoring for the presence of uranium in drinking water supplies and measures to be taken. In addition, on 28 November 2002, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, issued an information circular to all local authorities with advice on the monitoring and sampling of drinking water for radioactivity. The RPII has advised that monitoring for radionuclides other than uranium should also be undertaken and has drawn attention to the fact that areas where high levels of uranium in drinking water are found may also be high radon areas. Accordingly, in such instances, it has recommended that measurements for indoor radon concentrations should be carried out. I understand that a number of companies, in addition to the RPII, offer a service for measuring indoor radon levels in homes.
