The Green Party has been accused of "flip-flopping" on plans to introduce a grant scheme for people with high levels of radon in their homes.
Labour's environment spokeswoman Joanna Tuffy said that Minister for the Environment John Gormley, leader of the Greens, had "pulled a spectacular U-turn" on the issue.
Long-term exposure to high levels of radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, increases the risk of lung cancer, according to the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland. Houses with high levels of radon have been found in every county in Ireland.
Ms Tuffy said that before the election, Ciarán Cuffe, who was the Green Party's environment spokesman, had called for the reintroduction of a remediation grant scheme to help people radon-proof their homes.
However, in reply to a Dáil question last week tabled by Ms Tuffy, Mr Gormley said that "increasing the awareness of the public to the risks posed by radon in the home is considered to be a more effective approach than the provision of State financial assistance schemes to householders".
Ms Tuffy described the Minister's position as outrageous.
"In the case of elderly people, it could well amount to a death sentence, as they will have neither the means nor the know- how to address radon levels," she said.
"The Government's entire approach to radon gas is complacent, lacklustre and reckless.
"They repeatedly refuse to take any sort of pro-active approach, including the provision of radon-testing kits for households in affected areas.
"Their attitude must change immediately in order to prevent any further deaths."
