Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Action is being taken. The 2006 environmental noise regulations, which entered into force in March this year, give effect in Ireland to EU Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. Environmental noise is defined in the regulations as unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities, including noise emitted by means of transport, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic and from sites of industrial activity. The regulations are designed to address noise at a strategic level and are not intended to address domestic or neighbourhood noise.

A two stage approach to the assessment and management of environmental noise is provided for in the regulations. First, they provide for the preparation of strategic noise maps for areas and infrastructure falling within defined criteria, for example, large agglomerations, major roads, railways and airports. Second, based on the results of the mapping process, the regulations require the preparation of noise action plans for each area concerned. The fundamental objective of action plans is the prevention and reduction of environmental noise.

The regulations provide for strategic noise maps and action plans to be made available to the general public. They also provide for public consultation on proposed action plans and for the results of public consultation to be taken into account in finalising action plans or reviews of action plans.

The Environmental Protection Agency is the national authority with overall responsibility for implementing the regulations. At local level it is a matter for the local authorities concerned and Dublin Airport Authority, the National Roads Authority, Iarnród Éireann, and the Railway Procurement Agency. As the regulations are implemented they will allow people who live in areas affected by environmental noise to have a genuine voice in influencing appropriate responses. These regulations are a first step in addressing noise pollution at a strategic level and will deliver wider benefits over time.

I hope this overview of the range of provisions already in place to address environmental noise will help to inform the debate over the course of Private Members' time. Noise is a very individual issue and individuals on both sides of the argument — those causing excessive noise and those affected by it — can be unreasonable to varying degrees. In many cases, a lack of thought about the impact of noise on others is the fundamental issue; in some cases there is also an element of unreasonableness on the part of one or both parties. I am not convinced that further legislation is the answer but it is timely to look at the issues and this discussion of the Bill tabled by the Green Party is a welcome starting point.

The Government will not oppose this reading of the Bill. That said, the Government believes the proposed provisions therein are premature pending further consideration of the underlying issues in existing legislation.

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