Vol. 541 No. 2
690 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has given consideration to the introduction of regulations to govern domestic alarm systems with particular reference to the noise problems which arise from alarms which malfunction or which sound for prolonged periods of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21420/01]
Under Part VI of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 (No. 7 of 1992) and the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 (Noise) Regulations, 1994, (S.I. No. 179 of 1994) made thereunder, a local authority or any person may seek an order in the District Court to have noise giving reasonable cause for annoyance abated. A public information leaflet outlining the legal avenues available to persons experiencing neighbourhood noise nuisance is available from my Department.
The National Standards Authority of Ireland – NSAI – has published a voluntary standard specification (No. 199 of 1987), and operates a certification scheme to that standard, which, inter alia, specifies a minimum and maximum duration for the sounding of external intruder alarms in buildings. The connection of monitored business intruder alarm systems to Garda Siochána stations is contingent, inter alia, upon the use of alarm systems which are certified by NSAI and installed by certified installers.
A European standard for external intruder alarms, which will replace all current national standards, is in development and will incorporate considerably stricter controls regarding minimum and maximum duration for the sounding of alarms.
In light of the above, I have no proposals at present to make specific regulations in respect of noise arising from domestic alarm systems.
