Ollie Wilkinson (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to contribute on the Bill. While I might not always agree with the Green Party, it is to be commended on opening up the debate. There is no doubt that noise is becoming an enormous problem. In the ordinary home — Members often call to houses on their rounds — there will be a television operating in one room, which is not turned off as one enters. There could be two televisions operating at the same time and a radio operating in another room also. Generally, noise levels are well above what we were used to when we grew up. When one considers the way houses are built now compared to the old way, there is no problem hearing from one end of the house what is happening at the other end. However, I accept these are minor complaints.

As a rural dweller, I often receive complaints from people who have come to live in the country for the first time and who are not used to rural noises, particularly modern machinery, which can be hard on those who are not used to it. I often wonder how people operated such machines in the past without ear protection, which is now a major requirement and one to be welcomed. That point brings me to a famous event of the recent past, the Army deafness claims, which resulted from soldiers being exposed to too much noise. We know of the massive damage done. There are also the cases of those who worked in factories without protection. Dust was a big issue but so was noise, which can be at high levels even in modern factories. Thankfully, this is now recognised and the various protections in place help to deal with the problem.

Much reference is made to vandalism in our streets but there is also the problem of noise levels after hours in our streets, towns and villages, which is simply out of order. While we tend to hone in on damage done, people are often awake for many hours after the pubs and chip shops close. This is of great concern where there are sick people or young children, and I hear of it regularly in my home area.

Car exhausts are another cause of great concern. When some cars pass, one would imagine they are doing 100 mph, but they are making more noise than their speed would suggest. I cannot understand why this is not being stopped. I know it is easy to say the gardaí have enough to do — maybe it is not that easy — but I remember a time when excessive noise was a very big crime for which one could easily be picked up and summonsed. Those who create excessive noise should certainly be stopped. It is absolutely ridiculous that young lads are making so much noise in our towns at night. The speed of cars is an issue, but the noise of cars is often a far greater issue.

The use of jet skis recently became an issue on the River Blackwater, in my part of the country. I assure the House that the noise made by jet skis can be unbelievable. The damage done by jet skis to nesting wildlife etc. can be substantial. Those who were involved have ceased to engage in such activity, thankfully. One could hear the high whine that their machines were making for miles around. I do not doubt that jet skis have done significant damage to nesting birds etc.

While I welcome the Green Party motion, the Government feels that this issue is fairly well addressed. This issue should be debated, however, as it is relevant to our modern country, with its booming economy and increased levels of mechanisation in the home and the workplace. I commend the Green Party on raising this matter. A great deal of noise is quite often produced in this House. That noise often generates much more heat than light. I do not doubt that the noise levels in the House would be much higher if it were not for the absolute impartiality of the Ceann Comhairle and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Chair for allowing me to say a few words.

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