asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state, having regard to the hazards to health of noise and the increasing amount of noise in modern times, what steps his Department have in mind for noise abatement and the education of the public in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Noise Abatement.
22.
This question relates to an environmental aspect of public health, for which I am the appropriate Minister. Some steps have already been taken to reduce noise nuisance. The road traffic regulations restrict the use of audible warning devices and loudspeakers on vehicles and require the fitting of efficient silencers. They also provide as to the condition and maintenance of vehicles and prohibit the use of any vehicle so as to cause excessive noise. Cork and Limerick have byelaws relating to musical instruments, loudspeakers, etc., and the St. Stephen's Green byelaws forbid the use of radio or other similar apparatus in the park.
Information obtained from the medical officers in our principal cities in 1963 indicates that the number of complaints about noise received from the public is small and that there is not yet any general problem. Nevertheless, provision has been made in the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, to enable proceedings to be taken for abatement of excessive noise. In addition, planning authorities now have adequate powers to ensure that development likely to be a source of excessive noise is located so as not to injure residential amenities and that buildings are constructed so as to prevent noise nuisance. The building regulations to be made under the Planning and Development Act will prescribe standards for the insulation of buildings to prevent transmission of noise.
Control of noise is a complex problem involving special training for the professions concerned, standardisation of methods of measurement, and international agreement on maximum noise levels. Through the participation of an officer of my Department in a study carried out by a team including medical specialists for the Council of Europe we are well informed of the measures under consideration or already taken in other European countries where the noise problem is more acute. The Report, "Noise Abatement—a Public Health Problem", may be obtained through the Stationery Office by any person interested. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. This Report discusses very fully the possible effects of noise, such as insomnia and deafness, but much more research is required before it can be established that there is any serious hazard to health from the levels of noise commonly experienced. Generally noise is a nuisance rather than a source of illness.
Further steps in regard to noise abatement in this country depend on (1) the extent to which the problem increases and (2) current work on various aspects by a number of international bodies such as the International Standards Organisation and the Economic Commission for Europe. This work has been taken into account by the Council of Europe Working Party which met in Dublin recently to complete a draft Convention. I understand that the matters covered include education and training and that the Convention will ultimately be submitted to the Council of Ministers. It will then become available to my Department and the other Departments concerned for consideration.