Environmental noise is defined as ‘unwanted or harmful outdoor sound’ arising from all areas of human activity. Although noise is a product of many human activities including neighbourhood, industrial, commercial, and entertainment activities; the most widespread sources of noise pollution and exposure in Ireland are from various forms of transport.
For industrial noise, the EPA is responsible for issuing Industrial Emissions (IE) licences. As part of the 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 set out using specific licensing conditions. Please see our Industrial Emissions Licensing (IED) page for more information.
For transport noise, environmental noise from major infrastructure including roads, railways and airports is governed by the EU's Environmental Noise Directive. The Environmental Noise Directive (END) 2002/49/EC requires Member States to prepare and publish, every 5 years, strategic noise maps and noise management action plans for transport noise sources (i.e. roads, railways and airports) and industry.
The European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018, S.I. No. 549 of 2018, and its amendment S.I. No. 663/2021 - European Communities (Environmental Noise) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (irishstatutebook.ie) implements the Environmental Noise Directive in Ireland.
The EPA is the national authority for overseeing the implementation of the Environmental Noise Regulations.