Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 445: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his responsibilities under section 77 of the Roads Act 1993; if this section has been superseded by the Environment Noise Regulations 2006; if so, the powers and responsibilities he has to require road authorities of the National Roads Authority to carry out works or take such other measures as are necessary to mitigate the effects of road traffic noise in respect of such types of public road constructed or improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40582/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I have no functions under the Roads Act, 1993.

The Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 140 of 2006) gave effect in Ireland to EU Directive 2002/49/EC, relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. The Environmental Protection Agency is the national authority with overall responsibility for implementing the Environmental Noise Regulations.

The Regulations require the preparation of strategic noise maps by relevant local authorities, Dublin Airport Authority, the National Roads Authority, Iarnród Éireann and the Railway Procurement Agency, to assess the numbers of population exposed to various noise levels associated with infrastructure, including major roads, railways, airports and industrial sites. There is also a mapping requirement for large agglomerations which, in the Irish context, comprises the cities of Dublin and Cork.

The regulations require local authorities to produce action plans designed for the purpose of managing noise issues and their effects, including noise reduction, if necessary.