Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, has announced the establishment of a new expert group to tackle the health risks posed by radon gas.

Speaking at the National Radon Forum in Dublin, Minister Hogan stressed the importance of raising awareness of the risks and of bringing together all of the different public authorities that need to play a part in finding a solution to this ongoing problem.

Minister Hogan said: "Exposure to radon gas contributes to approximately 200 lung cancer deaths in Ireland each year. Most exposure occurs in the home. One of the major challenges is the lack of awareness about the risks people face from radon gas and what they can do to reduce them."

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The establishment of the National Radon Strategy Group means that, for the first time, all of the relevant public bodies have been brought together with a clear mandate from Government to come up with solutions to the radon problem. The group has been given two years to complete this task.

This event, the National Radon Forum, organised by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), is an annual event at which experts and other interested parties can contribute ideas to address this significant and complex public health issue. Their contributions will inform the new strategy group in its search for a lasting solution to the radon problem.

(CD)