Environmental noise complaints

Noise complaints

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

Entertainment noise, such as loud music from pubs, clubs or events
Neighbourhood noise, including noise from homes and nearby properties
Noise from industrial or commercial activities
Transport noise, such as traffic, trains or aircraft

If you have a noise complaint, take a look at the table below to find the type of noise involved and the organisation responsible for dealing with it. You can find more information on relevant legislation can be found here.

You can see a breakdown of the noise complaints received by local authorities in the EPA's Local Authority Performance Reports.

Entertainment

Example of Complaint Type	Responsible Authority
Bars, nightclubs and events	Local Authority: noise issues arising from within the premises (e.g., loud music, loud conversation etc.) An Garda Síochána: noise issues arising outside of the premises (e.g., anti-social behaviour)

Neighbourhood Noise

Example of Complaint Type	Responsible Authority
Domestic noise such as parties or construction work	Local Authority An Garda Síochána: (e.g., anti-social behaviour)

Industrial/Commercial Activities

Example of Complaint Type	Responsible Authority
EPA Licensed sites (e.g. waste/industrial processing sites)	EPA – check here to see if the facility is licensed by the EPA
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.)	Local Authority

Example of Complaint Type

Responsible Authority

EPA Licensed sites (e.g. waste/industrial processing sites)

EPA – check here to see if the facility is licensed by the EPA

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.)

Local Authority

Transport

Example of Complaint Type	Responsible Authority
Aircraft	Irish Aviation Authority Dublin, Cork, Shannon Airport (as appropriate) Fingal County Council - for noise generated by aircraft in Dublin Airport
Rail	Irish Rail
Roads - regional and smaller roads	Local Authority
Major roads (national roads and motorways)	Transport Infrastructure Ireland

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.