Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 10: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he is proposing to tackle the issue of noise pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3846/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department is currently preparing proposals to strengthen the existing legislation on noise pollution, in line with the commitment in the programme for Government. A public consultation process has been completed, and account is being taken of submissions received from the public and key stakeholders. While there is already a wide range of measures in place to deal with noise from a variety of sources, I intend that the new legislation will take a more integrated approach to noise pollution. There will be a greater emphasis on codes of practice for construction, commercial and domestic situations. Local authorities will have stronger enforcement powers to deal with nuisances from particular noise sources such as continuously sounding alarms, and I also see the need to extend the powers of the Garda Síochána in certain circumstances. There will, in addition, be measures to increase awareness of noise nuisance and of how it can be remedied.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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This might seem to be an innocuous question but it is a very important issue which is very close to the Minister's heart. House alarms and anti-social behaviour are issues which affect a significant and growing number of people. When will these proposals be enacted and when will local authorities be in a position to enforce them?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I would hope to have this legislation published before the summer. We have embarked on a comprehensive consultation process. A total of 235 submissions were received which shows there is significant public interest in this issue. We are becoming an increasingly urbanised society. Stricter laws governing noise are in force in European countries and it is time we got our act together to ensure people can simply enjoy in some cases a good night's sleep. It is a quality of life issue and it should not be dismissed. I agree with Deputy Hogan that it is a serious issue and we are giving it the attention it deserves.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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On a related matter I refer to the problem which arises in many housing estates where motorways and main roads were built in the years before proper noise regulations to do with sound barriers were in place. I am aware that different local authorities have been undertaking a review of such noise levels. Cork City Council has undertaken examinations of noise levels along the South Link Road and in other parts of the city. What progress has been made? People cannot go out into their back gardens because there is a four-lane highway at the end of the garden and no noise barriers or noise insulation measures have been installed.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Those are issues that should have been dealt with during the planning process. When major construction projects, such as the East Link bridge, were taking place in my constituency, part of the consultation process was that people received double glazing. This is an issue that should be dealt with during the planning process.

The introduction of annual noise reporting mechanisms is proposed. We can then see where the problems arise.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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The Minister is incorrect in his response. The regulations were not in place when these motorways were built. I suggest the Minister ask his colleague, Senator Dan Boyle, because he lives across the road from one. I imagine Senator Boyle would have been aware of the planning situation with regard to his own street.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy must ask a general question rather than a question on a particular issue.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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I believe the Minister is familiar with it.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I stayed in Senator Boyle's house on occasion and I got a good night's sleep. I am not quite sure of the import of the Deputy's question. Is he saying we should be taking measures now to deal with this?

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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It is a retrospective problem that has been created by ——

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy should table such a particular question as a matter on the Adjournment.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I would be happy to deal with that as a separate question.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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I welcome the Minister's proposals on noise pollution in general. The consultation document referred to arbitration in place of a court hearing in the case of noisy neighbours and this is a good idea. Is the Minister still planning on having the Garda Síochána raid people's houses for having their burglar alarms going off?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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No. The Deputy should not exaggerate the issue. We are consulting with many of the alarm companies. It seems it is easier to fix that problem from outside a house. It may be the case that the Garda Síochána will require new powers but it is not our intention to have gardaí wrapped up in dealing with such problems because they have enough to be getting on with.