COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

QUESTION NO.6

QUESTION: Councillor C. Brady

To ask the Chief Executive to clarify the respective roles of South Dublin County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), and any other agency, in implementing noise mitigation measures under the Noise Action Plan 2024-2028. Given that South Dublin County Council is the designated Action Planning Authority under the Environmental Noise Regulations, can the Chief Executive confirm whether the Council has the authority to implement mitigation measures independently, and if not, what formal arrangements exist with TII or other agencies to ensure delivery of actions identified in the Noise Action Plan? 

REPLY:

The European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018 to 2021 require Noise Mapping Bodies to make and publish Strategic Noise Maps and Action Planning Authorities to prepare Noise Action Plans every 5 years. SDCC are the noise mapping body for Non-National Major Roads within the functional area.  Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are the noise mapping body for National Major Roads and the LUAS.  Iarnród Éireann - Irish Rail (IE) are the noise mapping body responsible for heavy rail.

SDCC are the Action Planning Authorities for all major roads and rail. For the purpose of the Regulations, the Action Planning Authorities are responsible for “making and approving action plans in consultation with the Agency and the noise mapping body for the noise map involved” i.e. SDCC may suggest noise mitigation measures however it requires consultation and approval with IE and TII for implementation.

The Noise Action Plan 2024-2028 states that “The APAs, in consultation with Noise Mapping Bodies will identify and agree on practical noise mitigation measures in relation to the Priority Important Areas". The practicality of the measures will take into consideration its potential impact in terms of noise exposure and harmful effects reduction, planning, land-use, cost and available technology. The noise mitigation measures are collectively described as a noise management framework, and can be considered both in isolation, and in combination. Consideration will also be given to measures that may result from existing road management, traffic and rail projects and works programmes.”

To this end, SDCC are an integral part of a noise working group comprising the other Dublin Agglomeration Authorities, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Iarnród Eireann. The purpose of the working group is to provide a forum for engagement on the issue of environmental noise, through the sharing of details of the projects and services they are engaged with and to exchange experiences on aspects of environmental noise and how they are or propose to contribute to its management, whilst maintaining critical transportation functions.

The overall objective is to provide a collaborative and holistic working platform from which to better manage noise related issues to achieve the goals of the Noise Action Plan and other Policy drivers (Transport Strategies, Development Plans, etc). This is to the benefit of the citizens that live, work within and visit the Dublin Agglomeration Area. The main roles and responsibilities of the working group are:

  1. To support the Action Planning Authorities with the implementation of the Noise Action Plan
  2. To commit to informing the Working Group about relevant projects and services within their area of responsibility that may influence environmental noise, in a positive or negative manner, and primarily in the context of road and rail noise sources.
  3. To discuss, support and, where relevant, contribute to the review of Priority Important Areas identified within the Noise Action Plan, including the provision of relevant information and the review of, and agreement on suitable noise mitigation measures relevant to their individual areas of responsibility and expertise.
  4. To agree an implementation strategy for relevant noise mitigation measures identified including resources and funding in relation to same, where applicable.
  5. To explore all sources of funding for the implementation of measures including joint submissions across Action Planning Authorities and Infrastructure Owners were appropriate.
  6. To support the Action Planning Authorities with their review of Candidate Quiet Areas identified within the Noise Action Plan, where appropriate, and particularly in the context of any contribution of noise from new projects and services in adjacent to these areas.
  7. To report on any proposals, works or measures that they have or may be introducing that would benefit noise mitigation in areas of high exposure or help to maintain environmental noise levels where they are deemed good quality.
  8. Communicate and report back to their respective organisations on the noise related discussion including any requests for information and data and to support a culture of collaboration in respect of the management of environmental noise within the agglomeration. 
  9. To discuss relevant planning applications in relation to noise, where appropriate.