On the spot fines for nuisance noise
New laws aimed at improving quality of life
The Green Party today presented details of new laws that will clamp down on nuisance noise and help people with noisy neighbours to get a good night’s sleep. Speaking at a photocall in Temple Bar Square in Dublin, Environment Minister John Gormley said that he will be publishing the heads of a new nuisance noise bill this week. Today’s announcement follows two years of work on this issue by Dún Laoghaire TD Ciarán Cuffe and a commitment given in the Programme for Government. The bill was approved by the Cabinet last week and will go before the Oireachtas this autumn.
Minister Gormley said: “The new noise laws are designed to improve people’s quality of life. The bill will improve the effectiveness of the existing resources available to tackle nuisance noise issues. It will strengthen existing local authority powers and allow for a system of fixed payment notices in relation to nuisance noise offences. The penalties for private citizens will be €150 per offence – the same as the current on-the-spot fine for littering, with repeated offenders being subject to a higher fine of €250. Noise offences caused in the course of a trade or business will be liable to a €1,000 fine.”
Authorised officers from local authorities will be given new fast-track powers to take prompt and effective action to deal with intruder alarms when they sound continuously at premises including dwellings.
Minister Gormley continued: “The restriction on audible intruder alarms is a particularly welcome development given that almost one quarter of submissions to the consultation process on noise issues addressed this issue.”
It is also proposed that the Bill will extend to the Garda Síochána some of the more appropriate improved powers of the local authority authorised officers, including fixed payment notices, in relation to nuisance noise offences. However, the primary responsibility for enforcement of nuisance noise issues will rest with local authorities.
Health spokesperson and Dublin MEP candidate Senator Deirdre de Burca said: “Noise pollution affects nearly everybody and can be a matter of particular concern for those badly affected by boy racers, late night parties, early morning construction work or thoughtless neighbours with blaring intruder alarms. Estimates suggest that 80 million people across Europe suffer from unacceptably high noise levels, caused by traffic, industrial and recreational activities. The WHO has said that noise pollution can have serious public health affects including sleep disturbance, auditory and physiological effects. This new bill aims to improve quality of life and allow people to get their eight hours of well-deserved rest without interruption.”
Dún Laoghaire TD Ciarán Cuffe tabled a private members bill on nuisance noise in 2006 and negotiated to have a commitment on noise legislation included in the Programme for Government. He said: “This law will improve people’s quality of life. It will finally give local authorities the power to deal with nuisance noise quickly and effectively.
“Under the current system council officials are not able to take action immediately to stop sources of noise pollution, they can go through the courts but this takes weeks. It is no comfort to somebody on a bank holiday weekend with an alarm blaring next door.
“Very often builders on a construction project work past the cut-off time allowed for under their planning permission, which can disturb people living in the area. The new laws will give the council the power to take immediate action,” Deputy Cuffe said. “They can say to noisy builders ’stop working now or we will fine you’.”
