This paper presents the findings of a study undertaken to determine the natural radioactivity present in building materials in the Republic of Ireland. A total of 70 samples of commonly used building materials were collected from various manufacturers and suppliers throughout the country and analyzed using a HPGe gamma ray spectrometer. The specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were measured in all samples, and results ranged from minimum values of <1, <1, and 4 Bq kg(-1) to maximum values of 139, 57, and 1,977 Bq kg(-1), with mean values of 32, 18, and 353 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Results obtained were compared with relevant national, EU, and international legislation and guidance, and with the results of similar studies undertaken in other countries. These activities would suggest that the use of such building materials in the construction of domestic dwellings or workplaces in Ireland is unlikely to give rise to any significant radiation exposure to the occupants. In general, these activities were comparable to the results of similar studies undertaken in other countries. 137Cs activity was also detected in some samples.

The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of residents in the Castleisland area to radon. Castleisland in Co. Kerry was described as a high radon area following the discovery of a house in the area with radon levels 245 times that of the national reference level. Residents in this area were then asked to measure their homes for radon in the Castleisland radon survey. The uptake of this measurement was 17%. In order to investigate this response rate further, a questionnaire was designed and distributed to residents in the Castleisland area. This questionnaire measured the testing history of the participants, the reasons for testing/not testing, the factors important to them when considering having their home tested, radon knowledge and finally intentions to measure their home for radon. It was found that the main reason people do not test their home for radon is that they believe their home does not have a problem. Optimistic bias was thought to play a role here. The subjective norm component of the theory of planned behaviour was found to have a significant independent contribution in the variation in intentions to measure one's home for radon and this in turn could be targeted to increase uptake of radon measurement in the future.

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We conducted a national survey of hospitals in the Republic of Ireland to assess their use of telemedicine. Information was sought from 187 hospitals and replies were received from 157, a response rate of 84%. Activity was identified in a total of 40 hospitals (25% of the respondents). The main disciplines using telemedicine were radiology, pathology, neurosurgery, oncology and paediatrics, and the main applications were teleradiology (25 hospitals), videoconferencing (16) and telepathology (5). Dublin, the capital city, was found to act as a centre for telemedicine activity for the whole country. A number of regional networks had developed in the east, but the pattern of development in the west was very different where there were mainly isolated links. One fully operational national network was found but this was only used for consultation in one discipline (neurosurgery). It appears that the development of telemedicine in the Republic of Ireland has been unplanned. A national telemedicine strategy might lead to an integrated national network in the future, which could help to provide more equitable access to health care.