Road Network

Thursday, 19 January 2023

Questions (52)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

52. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the process or the steps required for a national road or motorway to be considered for the installation of noise barriers to mitigate the impact on local residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1969/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme.

Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction, including noise mitigation measures, for individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Directive 2002/49/EC on the assessment and management of environmental noise was transposed into Irish law by the Environmental Noise Regulations, 2006. This legislation requires TII and local authorities to undertake strategic noise mapping every five years for all major roads carrying in excess of 8,250 annual average daily traffic (AADT). Noise maps identify and prioritise cluster areas which will require further assessment and may require mitigation measures to be put in place. Once strategic noise maps have been produced, the results are used for each local authority to develop Noise Action Plans as required by the Environmental Noise Regulations.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a more detailed and direct reply on this matter. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

I refer to your recent parliamentary question, Ref. No. 1969/23, to Mr Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for Transport. The position in relation to your enquiry is as follows.

The amended European Communities (Environmental Noise Regulations) 2018 (S.I. No. 549) deal with the requirements to prepare noise actions plans to be developed for the purpose of managing environmental noise issues and their effects, including noise reduction, if necessary.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the national authority for overseeing the implementation of these Regulations.

Local authorities, in their role as designated Action Planning Authorities, are responsible for making and approving noise actions plans.

The finalised action plan is the responsibility of the respective local authority. TII has no role in the implementation of such plans under the Regulations. Therefore, all Environmental Noise related issues are a matter for each respective local authority.

I trust that this information is of assistance to you.