Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislation in place on the maximum amount of noise that a car exhaust can emit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19772/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Vehicles in use on Irish roads must meet the standards specified in the . These require vehicles to be fitted with a silencer or other device that will reduce exhaust noise to a reasonable level.  Article 85 of these Regulations prohibits the use in a public place of a vehicle which causes excessive noise. The Regulations also prohibit the alteration of an exhaust silencer in such a way that the noise emitted is increased.

New cars with EC Type Approval must meet the noise levels specified in Directive 70/157/EC.  This sets a limit of 74 dB for vehicles equipped with a petrol engine and 75 dB for vehicles equipped with a diesel engine. The current NCT exhaust noise limit is set at 99 dB which is deemed to be an acceptable maximum limit.

However, I am aware that certain vehicles are fitted with standard exhaust systems when presented for their test and are subsequently retrofitted with modified, noisy exhaust systems once they have passed. This ensures that they pass the engine emission and exhaust noise aspects of the NCT test.

To combat this, I understand that the RSA works closely with An Garda Síochána to ensure that an effective enforcement strategy is in place to control the noise emitted from these vehicles between successive NCT tests and that An Garda Síochána have purchased sound measurement equipment which is being used at roadside enforcement checkpoints throughout the country. The penalty on conviction is a fine which, depending if there have been previous similar convictions, may not exceed €2,000 and/or, at the discretion of the court, imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.

Where infringements are thought to exist, affected parties may wish to contact their local Garda station in order that they may be able to step up their enforcement activities.