Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Nov 1998

Vol. 497 No. 3

Written Answers - Noise Controls.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

145 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the relevant legislation, if any, under which a householder can process a complaint against his neighbours for noise pollution caused by his central heating system; the regulations or guidelines, if any, laid down for the operation of these systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25150/98]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace):

A person may seek an order in the District Court to have any noise, giving reasonable cause for annoyance, abated under the provisions of section 108 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, and the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, (Noise) Regulations, 1994 (S. I. No. 179 of 1994). An information leaflet by my Department, on the procedures involved, is widely available and a copy is being sent to the Deputy.

The legal requirements to be observed in relation to heat producing appliances are contained in Part J of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations, 1997 (S. I. No.497 of 1997). Technical Guidance Documents, 1997 edition, accompany these regulations and Technical Guidance Document J provides technical guidance on issues such as the positioning and locations of flues and outlets from such appliances. There are no specific provisions in the building regulations relating to the noise control of such appliances.