Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the draft legislation being prepared to govern house alarms and noise pollution; when he expects the legislation to come before the House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16478/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I am currently examining options to strengthen legislation on noise pollution as provided for in the Programme for Government. My intention is to consult with key stakeholders, including local authorities, and I will announce my preferred approach as soon as possible.

Various legislative provisions already exist to address noise nuisance, as well as a number of practical arrangements to reduce the instances of unnecessary noise from alarms and to tackle persistent incidence of such noise.

Under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 (Noise) Regulations 1994, a local authority or any person may seek an order in the district court to have noise giving reasonable cause for annoyance abated. The procedures involved have been simplified to allow action to be taken without legal representation. A public information leaflet outlining the legal avenues available to persons experiencing noise nuisance is available from my Department or on www.environ.ie.

Section 107 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 provides local authorities with powers to require measures to be taken to prevent or limit noise. In the case of a faulty alarm, a local authority may serve a notice under this section. Where the Council receives a complaint, an advisory letter is issued to the owner/occupier advising of the terms of the current standards for intruder alarms systems.

A European Standard for external intruder alarms (EN50131) has replaced all national standards, and incorporates considerably stricter controls, regarding minimum and maximum duration for the sounding of alarms. The new limits are 90 seconds minimum and 15 minutes maximum duration from the sounding of external alarms in buildings; the alarms must cease automatically after the maximum duration. This standard has been applied by the National Standards Authority of Ireland for intruder alarms installed by certified installers since 1 March 2004.

The Private Security Authority (PSA) is responsible for the licensing, control and supervision of all installers of security equipment, and the Authority has powers to maintain and improve standards in the provision of services, including standards for intruder alarms. I understand that with effect from 1 August 2006, alarm installers cannot legally operate without a PSA licence, the granting of which will require proof that the installer has attained the EN 50131 standard, and the SR 40 standard in the case of non-monitored alarms or the SR 41 standard in the case of monitored alarms.

In addition, I understand that the connection of monitored business intruder alarm systems to Garda Síochána stations is contingent upon, inter alia, the use of alarm systems which are certified by an approved certification body to the EN50131 standard and installed by PSA licensed installers.