Written answers

Tuesday, 9 July 2019

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Noise Pollution Legislation

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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599. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the lacuna in legislation regarding transport noise pollution; the measures he will introduce to mitigate noise pollution from aircraft, road vehicles and other forms of transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29132/19]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Deputy will be aware that legislation exists, both EU and domestic, that limits the noise levels that can be emitted from vehicles.

With regard to Aircraft Noise, the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019 was signed into law in May this year.  This Act designates Fingal County Council as the Competent Authority (aircraft noise regulator) tasked with assessing the noise situation at Dublin Airport and to ensure that measures are put in place to address any noise problem caused by aircraft.  This assessment process will ensure the sustainable development of Dublin Airport while mitigating the impact of aircraft noise on local residents and businesses.  Dublin is the only airport in the State that reaches the volume of civil aircraft movements to warrant the introduction of such a noise regulator.

The European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018 transpose Directive 2002/49/EC on the assessment and management of environmental noise, as amended by Directive (EU) 2015/996.   Those Regulations provide for the implementation in Ireland of a common approach within the European Union intended to avoid, prevent or reduce on a prioritised basis the harmful effects, including annoyance, due to exposure to environmental noise. It also designates the noise mapping and action planning bodies with supervisory oversight from the Environmental Protection Agency.

This legislation requires Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and local authorities to undertake strategic noise mapping every five years for all major roads carrying in excess of 8,250 annual average daily traffic (AADT).

In terms of vehicle manufacturing (type approval) standards, the legislation pertaining to new vehicle manufacturing standards in the EU is Regulation (EU) No. 540/2014.  This regulation establishes administrative and technical requirements for new vehicles with regard to their sound level and replacement of silencing systems. The regulation became effective from 1 July 2016. 

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