Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

I thank my colleagues for the opportunity to raise an issue regarding this Bill. I welcome the Bill and I am glad the Government is accepting it in principle. I want to focus on the Road Traffic Act 2002. Deputy Gilmore and I contributed to the debate on Committee Stage on this legislation with the then Minister of State with responsibility for road safety, Bobby Molloy. We managed to have included during that debate, in section 13 of the Road Traffic Act 2002, a provision specifically to deal with noise generated by souped up engines without proper silencers, which cause major problems in many communities throughout the country. The legislation dealt with the protection of the environment and persons and animals, where their health might be damaged or lead to distress or discomfort, specifically regarding emissions or excessive noise from vehicles. This provision has been on the Statute Book since 2002. I recently raised the issue with the Minister for Transport, asking him whether he would enact the powers under section 13 of the Road Traffic Act. He told me he hadno intention at this time of enacting those provisions.

While the Garda Síochána uses article 29 of the Road Traffic Regulations 1963, the scale of prosecutions in this regard is not what it should be. In many communities enormous distress is being caused by noise. I ask the Minister to discuss the matter with the Minister for Transport to ensure that the provisions under section 13 are enacted to address the blight that is being imposed on many communities.

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