EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Ireland’s Environment – An Integrated Assessment 2020 Credit: 4H4 Photography / Shutterstock.com Developing a National Noise Policy or Strategy Environmental noise originates from a wide range of sources: including transport, commercial and industrial sources as well as from wind turbines, entertainment and leisure sources, and domestic sources. As demonstrated in the 2018 WHO noise guidelines, excessive noise is an important public health issue. In Ireland, excessive noise mainly emanates from transport sources such as road traffic, aviation and railways, although, overall, the numbers of noise complaints across these different sources have been increasing in recent years. In this context, the development of a national noise policy statement or strategy has the potential to provide the policy framework within which integrated noise measures could be identified and promoted across government, industry and society. Regional Approach to Air Quality and Noise Enforcement and Compliance In Ireland, various regional enforcement/implementation models have already been established (in the areas of climate, water and waste) and are operating successfully to promote environmental enforcement and programme implementation. The impact of these regional structures has been very positive and the higher levels of support now available to local authority enforcement officers has resulted in enhanced outcomes. The Programme for Government commits to considering the development of a regional approach to clean air and noise compliance and enforcement. 94