Noise complaints  

In Ireland, noise complaints normally fall under four main categories: 

  • complaints about entertainment, such as loud music 
  • domestic/neighbourhood noise 
  • industrial/commercial activities that cause noise and 
  • transport-related noise sources. 

If you have a noise complaint, take a look at the table below which shows the different noise categories and the authority responsible. More information on relevant legislation can be found here.  

Here you can see the noise complaints received by local authorities and the EPA for the years 2017-2019. Most of the complaints about noise received by local authorities were from urban areas, with Dublin local authorities receiving the most complaints. Almost a third of all complaints received by the EPA, about EPA-licensed sites, related to noise issues.   

Figure 4.4; General noise complaints received by local authorities and noise complaints received by the EPA about EPA-licensed sites (2017-2019)

    

Transport related noise complaints 

Along with local authorities, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has the main responsibility for dealing with road- and rail-related noise complaints. 

 

Noise complaints around Dublin Airport have become a more significant issue in recent years, with the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) logging 15,160 noise-related complaints in 2019, compared to just 1,453 complaints in 2018. Most of the 2019 complaints were accounted for by two individuals who accounted for almost three quarters of all complaints logged by the DAA. In 2020, there has clearly been a major reduction in airport activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the numbers of passengers using Cork (2.4 million passengers) and Shannon (1.85 million passengers) Airports had also increased in recent years, until the Covid-19 pandemic largely grounded air travel during 2020.  

 

The Airport Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) set up as a separate entity within Fingal County Council in 2019.This unit is responsible for ensuring that noise generated by aircraft activity at Dublin Airport is assessed in accordance with EU and Irish regulations. It ensures the application of the ‘balanced approach’ to aircraft noise management. However, it is not yet clear what role, if any that the ANCA will play in relation to noise complaints at the airport. 

 

  

Industrial/commercial noise complaints 

As part of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) and Waste Licensing systems, certain scheduled activities and operations have conditions attached to their licences which effect control over emissions of noise. Noise control measures and limits are generally stipulated by specific licensing conditions. Limits may be imposed at boundary positions and/or at noise sensitive locations. In addition, certain limits may be applied to specific sources of noise on-site. Typically licence conditions also place restrictions on tonal and impulsive characteristics associated with noise emissions from licensed facilities. 

 

If a member of the public has a noise complaint about a licensed site, they should consider keeping a detailed record using the EPA Noise Log Sheet which they can then submit to the inspector for assessment.   

Entertainment:
Example of Complaint TypeResponsible Authority
  • Bars, nightclubs and restaurants                                                                      
                                                               
  • Local Authority: noise issues arising from within the premises (e.g., loud music, loud conversation etc.)  
  • An Garda Siochana: Noise issues arising outside of the premises (e.g., anti-social behaviour) 
  • Concerts and out-door events 
  • Local Authority: noise issues arising from within the venue (e.g., loud music etc.)  
Domestic:
Example of Complaint TypeResponsible Authority
  • Domestic noise such as parties or construction   work 
Industrial/Commercial Activities
Example of Complaint TypeResponsible Authority
  • EPA Licensed sites (eg, waste/industrial processing sites)

 
  • EPA – check here to see if the facility is licensed by the EPA 
  • Loud fans, reversing beeping noises, loud machinery, rumbling. 
  • Impulsive noise from machinery, emission control equipment.  
  • Non-EPA licenced sites,
  • Construction and demolition, 
  • quarries and mines, 
  • wind turbines, 
  • cooling systems, air extraction systems, generators, mobile units (e.g., mobile generators, etc.)
Transport
Example of Complaint TypeResponsible Authority
  • Airport activities
 
  • Dublin Airport - noise generated by aircraft activity 
 
  • Road – regional and smaller road,
  • Major roads (national roads and motorways) 
  
Other
Example of Complaint TypeResponsible Authority
Crow gun, bangers, gun clubs 
  • Contact your neighbour in the first instance.  
  • If unresolved, contact your Local Authority. 
Barking dogs  
  • Contact the dog owner in the first instance.  
  • If unresolved, complete a Section 108 Form under the Control of Dogs Act, 1986. This form is available from the District Court. 
Security alarms  
  • Speak to the people involved.
  • If the issue is unresolved, contact your Local Authority
Noise at work

 


Section 108   

The citizens information website has some useful information on noise nuisance.  If a noise complaint cannot be resolved by your local authority or through local mediation, then there is an option for any person to seek a court order under section 108 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 to try to get their complaint resolved.