James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank Deputy Ellis for raising this matter. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, I assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána remains committed to tackling public disorder and anti-social behaviour through working with communities to reduce this type of behaviour and to enhance community safety. The Garda Commissioner has assured the Minister that appropriate policing plans and measures are being implemented, effective since 4 September 2020, and that Operation Tombola will remain in place in the lead-up to, and over, the Hallowe'en period.

I look forward to the Minister launching the public awareness campaign in the near future, which will feature in print media as well as online, including on social media platforms. The campaign will use a variety of platforms to ensure it reaches as wide an audience as possible with its message of safety and compliance with the law. I appreciate the Deputy's genuine concerns on this issue and I will bring them to the attention of the Minister. I stay in Dublin on Monday and Tuesday nights and I hear the fireworks. Year-on-year this is happening earlier. At one time it was early Hallowe'en fireworks but nowadays we are hearing fireworks more randomly throughout the year. As I said, I will bring the Deputy's genuine concerns to the attention of the Minister.

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