Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to raise with the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, the issue of road traffic related noise. The M50 runs through my constituency, from Leopardstown through Stepaside, Sandyford, Ballinteer, Rathfarnham, Edmondstown, Ballyboden and Knocklyon. I raise the need for noise abatement measures in that context, although the issue has acquired national relevance as a result of the growth in traffic volumes nationwide. While the Minister of State does not have responsibility for the environment, he will be aware of the problem I raise because he represents an adjoining constituency which is also affected by traffic related noise.

The environmental impact statements prepared for road proposals contain noise predictions. While Ireland does not have national standards, the British standard, under which decibel levels above the value of 74 are regarded as meriting noise abatement measures, are usually accepted. The nub of the problem is that traffic volumes and, consequently, noise levels, on the M50 and its approach roads are infinitely greater than predicted.

Having stood in the front gardens or at the front doors of constituents, it is not an exaggeration to state it is impossible to carry on a conversation in some of them because one cannot hear oneself speak. It is easy to imagine the impact of such continuous noise levels on families' quality of life. This appalling noise occurs night and day, during the week and at weekends. One does not need to be a medical expert to know that living permanently in this type of environment will impact on general health and well-being as well as hearing.

While I accept the need for new motorways and roads, many people in my constituency are being asked to pay too high a price in order that the rest of us can have better roads. The problem is not confined to the M50 motorway. Many of its approach roads are worse because no attempt has been made to provide noise abatement measures on them. None of this would matter if the motorway cut through green pastures but in the greater Dublin area, specifically my constituency of Dublin South, the M50 ploughs through residential suburbia where hundreds and thousands of people are raising families and hoping to live in peace.

The reason I raise this issue at this time is that two opportunities are emerging to address the problem. The first of these is the upgrade of the M50. It would be unthinkable and unforgivable to increase the capacity of the motorway and consequently the noise levels to which families would be subjected, while ignoring the opportunity to increase robust and effective noise amelioration measures. The implementation of European Union directive 2002/49/EC presents a second opportunity to address the issue. The directive requires that all populated areas are mapped to establish noise levels. While this is a welcome development, unfortunately there is no timescale for the implementation of action plans to deal with the problems identified as part of the mapping process. The M50 will produce the most severe noise hot spots. I ask the Minister to ensure these areas are accorded urgent priority for action to ameliorate noise levels in advance of any timescale for action laid down by the European Union.

I cannot overstate the constant, injurious and mind-numbing unpleasantness caused to residents by unprotected proximity to major roads. The Government must act immediately to protect these residents or face court cases which will force it to do so.

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