Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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745. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide clarity about the obligations of local authorities with regard to noise pollution emanating from road traffic which is impacting upon the lives of those living in nearby areas. [34338/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Complaints about local traffic-related noise should be addressed to the relevant roads authority in the first instance. For national road schemes, potential noise emissions are addressed as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process undertaken by, or on behalf of, the National Roads Authority.

In addition, the Environmental Noise Directive (END) 2002/49/EC sets out certain requirements for the assessment and management of environmental noise from transport sources, including the making of strategic noise maps and action plans. However the Directive does not set binding limit values, nor does it prescribe the measures to be included in the action plans, leaving those issues at the discretion of the national competent authorities.

The END was transposed into national law by the Environmental Noise Regulations 2006. The Regulations set out a two-stage process for addressing environmental noise. Firstly, noise must be assessed through the preparation of strategic noise maps for areas and infrastructure falling within defined criteria. Secondly, based on the results of the mapping process, the Regulations require the preparation of noise action plans for each area concerned. The fundamental objective of action plans is the prevention and reduction of environmental noise.

The Regulations designate noise mapping bodies and action planning authorities for the making of strategic noise maps and action plans. Primary responsibility for both noise mapping and action planning is assigned to local authorities. For the Dublin Agglomeration, distinct noise maps have been produced for all roads together with a related noise action plan for the period July 2008 to November 2013.

The Regulations require noise mapping bodies periodically to review and revise noise maps. A new round of noise mapping was conducted during 2012. Individual maps, along with details on the revised population exposure statistics, can be viewed at the following link- . Following the noise mapping, the four local authorities within the Dublin Agglomeration prepared a new draft Environmental Noise Action Plan for the period 2013 - 2018. The draft plan sets out an approach to the strategic management and control of environmental noise over the next five years. It also provides the basis for feedback and input from the statutory authorities and the public to help inform the final Noise Plan for the Dublin Agglomeration. The draft plan was recently made available for public consultation with submissions being invited before 20 June 2013. Submissions received under the consultation process are now being reviewed before the plan is finalised.