Noise legislation includes 12 regulations, managed by several entities including Mepa, the Trading Licence Unit, Malta Tourist Authority, Malta Transport Authority, Building and Regulation Office, Directorate of Health and police.

They are responsible to monitor and enforce the regulations. Each entity is accountable to a different ministry, eight in total.

Yet in Żabbar an industrial concern, in a residential area, is contravening at least one environmental regulation.

This has been going on since before 2010, yet in 2012 the authorities extended the regulating period till 2017.

In Fgura, 20 light enterprises were given a permit to operate in a residential area.

Nothing wrong with that except, was an industrial impact assessment undertaken?

In Ħamrun, a factory in a residential area is causing unwanted noise between 2 and 6am.

The matter was reported to the authorities who advised the resident to inform the police, thereby rescinding their responsibility to monitor and enforce the regulation.

At San Ġwann industrial estate a factory bordering the residential area is the cause of noise and air pollution.

The regulator’s contribution towards this issue is an unremitting explanation of their inaction. In the meantime the Environmental Ministry is awaiting the protracted Mepa split, after which we expect further deferment.

Loud music and rowdy behaviour from bars and discos is in breach of four regulations.

There are instances where the regulations are enforced, but the action is protracted and the reprieve is rarely lasting.

No wonder the verdict is, “we are the nosiest island in Europe!” Noisy areas extend to around 90 per cent of Malta compared to some 50 per cent in most other EU member States.

No wonder the Maltese complain about noise more than other Europeans.

Still, “are we aware that noise does not stop at our ear?”