Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 April 2026
662. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport whether he intends to introduce statutory noise or vibration limits for operational railways in Ireland as we are currently reliant on UK legal limits as a guideline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24286/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Noise TSI (Technical Specification for Interoperability) provides the statutory limits for the noise performance of rolling stock operating within the State.
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1304/2014 (as amended by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/774), known as the Noise TSI, forms part of the EU’s interoperability framework for railways. This Regulation sets legally binding EU noise-emission limits which apply to all new and upgraded rolling stock operating in Ireland. Under Regulation 6 of the European Union (Interoperability of the Rail System) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 477/2020), railway vehicles in Ireland must comply with TSIs before they can be authorised for placing on the market.
The EU Regulation establishes mandatory maximum noise levels for rolling stock which includes:
• stationary noise
• starting noise
• pass-by noise
for locomotives, passenger trains, and freight wagons.
The acoustic performance of trains is governed by strict EU standards, ensuring a consistent and enforceable level of noise control across the network. Domestically, the Commission for Railway Regulation oversees railway safety, interoperability and compliance with EU TSIs (including the Noise TSI). In addition, environmental railway noise is mapped and reported by Irish Rail, overseen by the EPA and local authorities under S.I. 549/2018.
