Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 993: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress on implementing a noise legislation Bill; if it is proposed that this bill will give neighbours the right to complain about excessive noise; the expected powers the gardaí will have when a noise complaint is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33995/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce comprehensive legislation on noise pollution within the lifetime of this Government. Earlier this year, following an extensive consultation process, the General Scheme of a Noise Nuisance Bill was prepared in my Department and approved by the Government. The Noise Nuisance Bill is included in Section A of the Government Legislation Programme published on 16 September, 2009.

While there are already a wide range of measures in place to deal with noise from a variety of sources, it is my aim that the new legislation will take a more integrated approach to noise pollution, including through codes of practice for construction, commercial and domestic situations. There will, in addition, be measures to increase awareness of how noise nuisance can be addressed and to strengthen existing local authority powers including through a system of fixed payment notices in relation to noise nuisance offences. The Bill will also extend to An Garda Síochána some of the more appropriate improved powers of the local authority authorised officers.