In the first instance, you should contact the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). The DAA have a complaints procedure on their website. The DAA can also be contacted using their dedicated free phone noise complaints helpline on 1800 200 034. 

Each complaint is assessed by the DAA’s Noise and Flight Track Analyst to determine whether an aircraft has breached the environmental noise corridor. These corridors define the airspace aircraft are expected to use when operating at Dublin Airport.  

If a breach is identified, the complainant is notified, and the details are referred to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAAANSP) for further investigation. The outcome of that investigation is then communicated to the complainant by the DAA. 

Flight activity to and from Dublin Airport can also be viewed using WebTrak, which provides information on individual aircraft. 

Further details on how airport complaints can be made and are investigated can be found on the DAA’s website. 

Dublin Airport Authority (DAA)

The DAA manages aircraft noise at Dublin Airport and operates the WebTrak Flight Monitoring System, which allows the public to track flights, and to submit noise complaints. Complaints are investigated by the DAA Noise and Flight Track Analyst to determine whether an aircraft has breached the environmental noise corridor. 

Air Nav Ireland 

Air Nav Ireland provides air traffic control services in Ireland and manages the routes aircraft follow when arriving at and departing from Dublin Airport. It works with the DAA to review aircraft movements and minimise the environmental impacts of aviation, including noise. 

Airport Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) 

ANCA is responsible for assessing aircraft noise at Dublin Airport in line with EU and Irish legislation. It monitors compliance with noise mitigation measures and operating restrictions and applies the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) balanced approach to aircraft noise management. Aircraft noise complaints should continue to be made to the DAA. 

Fingal County Council 

Fingal County Council is responsible for airport related planning matters, including enforcement of planning conditions. It also prepares the Dublin Airport Noise Action Plan (NAP) under the Environmental Noise Regulations, including public consultation on draft plans. 

An Coimisiún Pleanála (formerly An Bórd Pleanála) 

An Coimisiún Pleanála granted planning permission for the North Runway in 2007, subject to conditions including limits on nighttime use. Changes to these conditions were assessed by ANCA, approved by Fingal County Council in 2022, and where then appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.  A government decision on whether to end the Dublin Airport passenger cap (32 million) is still under discussion. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

The EPA oversees implementation of the Environmental Noise Regulations and provides guidance on noise mapping and Noise Action Plans for major transport sources. It reviews and publishes noise maps and annual progress reports, but its legislative remit does not include the enforcement of airport noise controls or other types of traffic noise. The EPA website provides guidance and links to the relevant authorities for addressing these noise complaints. 

Fingal County Council is responsible for planning related matters at Dublin Airport, including enforcement where planning conditions are breached. It also prepares the Dublin Airport Noise Action Plan (NAP), which aims to manage airport related noise and identify practical measures to reduce its harmful effects. 

The Airport Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) is an independent directorate within Fingal County Council responsible for monitoring and regulating aircraft noise around Dublin Airport. ANCA oversees compliance with noise mitigation measures and operating restrictions and applies the ICAO balanced approach where noise issues arise.  

A Noise Abatement Objective (NAO) sets out a policy objective for managing aircraft noise impacts on surrounding communities. It aims to ensure that airport growth occurs in a sustainable manner and guides ANCA’s decisions on future aircraft operations at Dublin Airport. ANCA have recently developed an SEA Scoping report in relation to their proposed amendment to the NAO. 

Environmental noise is "unwanted sound" arising from all areas of human activity, such as noise from transport, industrial, and recreational activities. Excessive noise can:

• seriously harm human health, including mental health.
• interfere with people’s daily activities at school, at work, at home, and during leisure time.
• disrupt sleep, cause cardiovascular and psychophysiological effects.
• lower performance, lead to annoyance responses, and changes in social behaviour.

In Ireland, general noise complaints typically fall under four main categories:

• entertainment.
• domestic/neighbourhood noise.
• industrial/commercial activities.
• transport-related noise.

You can find information on the EPA website, including the Noise and Health factsheet and the Noise and Your Health page.

There is also relevant information in the State of the Environment Report, Chapter 3: Environmental Noise.

There are options available if you are affected by noise nuisance. The procedures below apply to common neighbourhood noise issues, such as persistent noise from nearby homes, workshops, or local businesses.

When can I take action?

You can take action if noise is so loud, continuous, frequent, or occurs at times or pitches that reasonably cause annoyance.

What action can I take?

You should first try to resolve the issue informally by speaking with the person or business causing the noise. If this fails, you can:

• Contact your local authority about neighbourhood noise issues.
• Complaints about privately rented accommodation should be raised with the landlord, and with the city or county council in the case of local authority housing. 
• Contact the EPA for complaints relating to EPA-licensed activities or traffic- related noise from major infrastructure.
• The Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 (Noise) Regulations 1994 (S.I. No. 179 of 1994) provide a straightforward way for individuals or groups to seek redress through the Courts. 
• In some specific cases, make a formal section 108 complaint to the District Court seeking an order to address the nuisance. Application forms are available from the District Court office. 

Initially, it may be sufficient to explain to the dog owner causing the noise that it's a nuisance and come to some mutually acceptable understanding and a solution. 

However, persistent problems arising from barking dogs are covered under the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 & 1992.  A copy of the form used for complaints to the courts about noise from dogs is available from your local authority (city or council). 

Any event, such as a concert or festival, would normally require planning permission. However, in some cases, a particular venue may have prior approval to stage a set number of concerts/events per annum.  The appropriate local authority (city or county council) should be contacted in relation to any noise complaints for these planned events.

A small proportion of people are disturbed by low frequency sound, which is typically described as something like a low rumble. For those people who are affected, they can be severely distressed. Sometimes the complaint can be traced to a sound source, typically an industrial site, or an adjoining property. If the source can be found, then there is a chance the noise can be controlled.

In the first instance, you should contact your local authority. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) provide contact details for all local authorities on the gov.ie website. The local authority can advise whether a road traffic noise complaint falls within their responsibility.

If the issue relates to a national road or motorway, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), which manages this network, may be able to advise on any planned works or noise monitoring data. Contact details and noise maps are available on the TII website. 

TII is also responsible for preparing strategic noise maps for major national roads carrying more than 3 million vehicles per year and for light rail lines (Luas). 

Road traffic noise complaints are mainly handled by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and local authorities. TII manages motorways and national roads, while local authorities are responsible for regional, public, and local roads. Each has different roles under the Environmental Noise Regulations. 

When you contact your local authority, they will record the complaint and decide whether it should be addressed by the local authority, TII, or both. In some cases, environmental sections handle these noise complaints, while roads sections might also be involved in dealing with traffic-related noise issues. 

If a noise problem area is identified as a Priority Important Area (PIA) in the local authority Noise Action Plan, the relevant local authority would be responsible for addressing it. Noise Action Plans should be available on the local authority website.  Local authorities are legally obliged to develop cost-effective noise reduction measures and may work with other bodies, such as TII, where necessary on more complex issues around mitigation of environmental noise.