Vol. 555 No. 1
225 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his proposals to include in law an upper limit for sound allowable in discotheques, pubs and dance halls in order that decibel limits can be laid down in law and prosecutions can be carried out if such laws are broken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17604/02]
I refer to Part VI of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 and the Environmental Protection Agency Act (Noise) Regulations, 1994 which provide local authorities with powers to prevent or limit noise from any premises. In addition, section 34 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 provides that a planning authority may attach specific conditions in respect of noise to a grant of permission for development.
In so far as noise in the workplace and the protection of workers is concerned, the European Communities (Protection of Workers) (Exposure to Noise) Regulations 1990 provide, inter alia, for the assessment and measurement of noise experienced at work, the identification of areas where noise exceeds specified levels and for the maintenance of records of noise levels. Enforcement of these regulations is a matter for the Health and Safety Authority and I understand the authority's programme of work for 2002 includes workplace inspections in places of entertainment.
I have no proposals to specify maximum limits of noise levels in this context.
