Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for legislation on noise pollution and the penalties envisaged for breaches of same. [6810/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Currently, a person experiencing noise nuisance may contact their local authority, which may initiate proceedings on grounds of noise nuisance under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992. This Act also provides for any person, or group of persons, to 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 A Guide to the Noise Regulations, outlining the legal avenues available to persons experiencing noise nuisance, is available on my Department's website www.environ.ie.

Notwithstanding the above, taking account of commitments in the new Programme for Government, my Department is considering proposals to strengthen legislation to address noise pollution, including through the introduction of fixed payment notices (also known as on the spot fines) and provision for mediation between neighbours.