asked the Minister for Local Government the measures that are being taken to control noise from vehicles.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Noise Control.
26.
The Road Traffic Acts, and regulations thereunder, require mechanically propelled vehicles to be fitted with silencers, and forbid the use of vehicles so as to cause excessive noise. Enforcement of these requirements rests with the Garda.
Is the Minister aware that international reports have indicated that the biggest noise pollutant is the motor cycle? Apparently there is a class of young motor cyclist now who thinks that the more noise he can make the more virile he is. Can the Minister ensure that regulations in this matter will be enforced?
The only way to enforce them is that those who feel they are annoyed report the matter to the Garda who have adequate powers to deal with motor-bikes from which silencers have been removed. Unfortunately there is not a thing I can do about it.
Perhaps they should be reported to a psychiatrist or a doctor.
The Minister for Finance dealt with it in a big way last night.
I am glad the Deputy has so much confidence in the Minister for Finance.
27.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make regulations specifying a maximum threshold not exceeding 85 decibels for emissions of noise in large cities.
I have no powers to make regulations such as those suggested by the Deputy.
I should mention that noise has been included among the pollutants for investigation under the EEC environment programme. These investigations include the determination of criteria for measuring noise levels and of nuisance indices at various levels of intensity. We will, no doubt, have the benefit of that work as it proceeds and can consider introducing any new safeguards that may be found useful or necessary in addition to those already operated here.