Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)

——which aims to prevent and detect the organised importation of fireworks for sale, has been put in place by the Garda Commissioner. In this context, chief superintendents throughout the country have been instructed to introduce measures appropriate to their respective areas of responsibility with particular emphasis on Garda divisions in the Dublin Metropolitan region and in Border regions. The operation, while being intelligence-driven, is coupled with sporadic high visibility policing activities.

Over the past five years, such operations have resulted in significant seizures of illegally imported fireworks with an estimated value of €2 million. Already this year, as Deputies will be aware from recent media reports, "Operation Tombola" has resulted in the seizure of very large consignments of illegally imported fireworks. All fireworks seized are forfeited by the person importing them and destroyed in accordance with the provisions of the Explosives Act 1875.

I now turn to the question of the draft EU directive on fireworks, which is currently being discussed by the EU Commission. The objective of this directive is to establish rules designed to achieve the free movement of pyrotechnic articles-fireworks throughout EU member states while ensuring a high degree of protection for the consumer. The main thrust of the draft directive is to achieve the free movement of fireworks throughout the EU. While the directive makes certain provisions relating to safety, Ireland is not satisfied that the measures being proposed are sufficient.

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