Regulations to reduce noise pollution

The Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 will lessen the effects of unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by road, rail and air traffic from industrial sites from Tuesday, April 18th.

Minister for the Environment Dick Roche said that the regulations are aimed at managing noise in urban areas and national infrastructure. He added that they would also "protect quiet areas to everyone's benefit".
He accepted that noise pollution created difficulties and that change was necessary.

"I know that neighbourhood noise nuisance is a serious problem in many areas and a number of options already exist to address it. Change is needed to protect the quality of life for people who live in major urban areas or near national infrastructure such as major roads and airports," he said.

The regulations comply with the EU Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environment noise.
The Environmental Protection Agency will have responsibility for their implementation. Local authorities, Dublin Airport Authority, the National Roads Authority, Iarnrod Eireann and the Railway Procurement Agency will look after governance at local level.
Mr Roche said that the regulations would allow people who live in areas affected by environmental noise to have a voice in affecting the right responses. They had, he added, the opportunity to have the right impact on people's lives in Ireland.