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ANYONE WHO has endured sleepless nights because of inconsiderate neighbours will welcome a discussion document on noise pollution published by Minister for the Environment John Gormley. Existing legislation is cumbersome, complicated and ineffective in our increasingly urban society. But it is important to point out that Mr Gormley has only invited the public to make representations on this contentious subject. Details of any amending legislation are unlikely to be considered by the Dáil for another year.

The attention-grabbing sound bite used by the Minister at his press conference – that gardaí may be empowered to break into homes in order to turn off malfunctioning burglar alarm systems – certainly captures the frustration felt by wide-awake neighbours, but it raises so many legal and constitutional difficulties that it is unlikely to happen. As things stand, Mr Gormley will have considerable difficulty in establishing a system of on-the-spot noise pollution fines, to be administered by members of the Garda Síochána.