Michael McAleer answers your queries
From John Lynch, Ennis, Co Clare:
A neighbour has recently removed the manufacturer's silencer from his car and fitted a wide bore "silencer" in its place. The noise created by this device is almost unbearable even inside my house with the windows closed.
I have twice requested him to stop "revving" the engine in front of my house but to no avail. The gardaí do not seem to be interested in these devices which have become very common of late.
Surely they are not legal under the Road Traffic Acts? What is the legal position and have I any redress in law?
This comes under the area of noise nuisance rather than pollution and, according to a spokesperson for the Department of the Environment, responsible for policing noise pollution, there's nothing in legislation specifically referring to exhausts, despite the fact that several EU directives exist on the issue.
It's always best to try and sort these problems out amicably between neighbours without going down the legal route.
However, if no agreement can be reached, there is the option of getting a court order from the District Court.
A local authority can also require measures to prevent or limit noise, but both they and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are normally wary of getting involved in disputes between neighbours unless one is a commercial operator.
The court will hear both sides and if it finds in your favour it may order your neighbour to either reduce or limit the noise.
The court procedure is a simplified, low-cost process which does not require help from individual local authorities. The court charges about €15 to process the action, there is not always a need for noise-recording equipment and there is no requirement to be represented in court by a solicitor. So if it bothers you and you can't settle it out of court, prosecute and prove it.
From Ronan Crowley:
I know that you regularly run comparison charts, comparing the different prices of car insurance among the various companies/brokers.
Having recently shopped around for new insurance, I was shocked with my findings. I'd like to share them with you.
I'm a 25-year-old male, driving for five years, with three years of full no-claims bonus. I've had no accidents or convictions, have no penalty points and was seeking comprehensive insurance for my 1998 BMW 316i Compact, valued at €11,000, with a 1.6-litre engine.
Quotations:
Eagle Star: €1,190
FBD: €1,328
Quinn Direct: €1,426
Hibernian (my renewal): €1,632
One Direct: €1,879
123.ie (8 Quotes): €1,910 - €3,411
Quote Line: €1,950
Axa Direct: €2,352
Carole Nash: €2,484
Allianz Direct: €2,557
AA: €2,744
Yours is a tale often heard in this office and highlights once more that it pays to shop around. It also suggests that while there may be several players in the insurance market here, calling what we have competition seems a little rich. There's nothing competitive about these quotes.
From Seán Spellman:
Could you please tell me where Michael Sheridan bought the travel inverter (Motors, June 30th)? I've tried several camping stores as well as the AA and Maplin without any luck.
I'm surprised to learn that you've had trouble locating one. Michael Sheridan says they should be readily available at most good camping stores. He got his at O'Meara Camping in the Sunshine Industrial Drive in Crumlin. There's a whole world of weird and wonderful gadgetry out there for the intrepid camper; enough to turn your caravan or tent into a regular home in fact. Take a look at www.omearacamping.com
From Niall Cunningham, Cunningham Higgins Specialist Cars, Ballybrit, Co Galway:
I enjoyed reading the piece on the €1 million Porsche Carrera GT sold to a Dublin customer by Des Cullen.
However, just in case one would think that all this "supercar" activity is unique to Dublin, I thought that it would be wrong if I did not inform you as to the level of similar activity in the west of Ireland.
To date this year, new cars delivered from our specialist car dealership to local owners include a new Ferrari 360, a new Porsche 911 C4S along with several Porsche Cayennes and BMW 645Cis.
Due to be delivered within the following months of this year are:
a new Maserati Quattroporte;
a new Aston Martin DB9;
a new Lamborghini Gallardo.
Truly the west is awake.
Send your queries to
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie