Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

76 Chapter 3: Environmental Noise Key chapter messages 1. Environmental noise is the second biggest environmental cause of health problems in the EU. In Ireland, over 1 million people are likely to be exposed to noise levels above the mandatory reporting thresholds. 2. National policy for environmental noise is not as well advanced as in other environmental areas. There is a need for coordinated national policy and actions around planning, health and transport infrastructure to reduce noise exposure. 3. Local authorities, in collaboration with transport infrastructure bodies, need to focus implementation of noise action plans on the priority areas identified using strategic noise mapping.