Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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257. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to ensure that noise level limits for car exhausts are adhered to; to outline the current process for monitoring adherence; if his Department has any further plans or proposals to address the continued flouting of these limits by some motorists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1531/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Robust legislation is in place in Ireland to regulate the maintenance and upkeep of vehicle exhaust systems. The (SI 190 of 1963) require vehicles to be fitted with a silencer or other device suitable for reducing exhaust noise to a reasonable level and they prohibit use of a vehicle that causes excessive noise in a public place.

Under Section 29 of the Regulations, all combustion engine vehicles must be fitted with an exhaust silencer or other suitable device to reduce exhaust noise. Section 34(2)(e) states that such silencers must be properly maintained in good and efficient working order. Section 85(1)(a) states that a person shall not use, or permit to be used, a vehicle that causes excessive noise as a result of defect, lack of repair or adjustment of the vehicle or its equipment.

Limits for exhaust noise are set down in the EU type-approval system for motor vehicles, under Regulation (EU) 2018/858 and related regulations for specific components. New cars must meet Europe-wide noise limits under Regulation 540/2014 (EU). These limits depend on the type of vehicle, but have been progressively reduced from 82 decibels (dB) in 1978 to 72 dB in 2016. Incremental decreases will bring the limit for most new passenger cars to 68 dB by 2026. Cars may also be approved under , with similar limits.

In the (NCT), a 99dB noise limit is advised in the , accounting for older cars still present in the fleet. A noise test is carried out during the NCT where vehicle exhaust noise is excessive.

Enforcement of noise pollution, as with all road traffic legislation, is a matter for An Garda Síochána. Gardaí are empowered to stop cars with removed or faulty silencers and penalties apply under the Road Traffic Acts. This does not include the power to seize a vehicle. However, legislation is in place providing alternatives to the specific action of seizure with applicable penalties. 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.

Officials from my Department meet regularly with An Garda Síochána to discuss matters of road safety and noise pollution legislation has been raised in that context. An Garda Síochána has committed to further consider the matters raised.