Vol. 495 No. 7
511 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government whether he has satisfied himself with the operation of the provisions in the environmental protection legislation governing disturbance due to noise, particularly as it affects domestic residences; and if he will consider implementing legislation that would not require detailed monitoring operations to be mounted before preventative action could be taken. [21744/98]
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 343 and 318 of 6 and 13 October 1998, respectively. The environmental protection legislative code provides adequate powers to local authorities, and the Environmental Protection Agency, where appropriate, to address problems of noise pollution. In addition, any person may seek an order in the District Court to have noise, giving reasonable cause for annoyance, abated. It is a matter for the courts to decide on the evidential requirements in each particular case of alleged noise nuisance. I have no proposals to amend the legislation in the manner proposed by the Deputy at this time.
