Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)

I accept what the Deputy said about the season starting earlier and earlier each year, which is regrettable. That is true of the community in which I live, which is a rural part of Limerick. Some elderly neighbours were very put out by it.

Under Operation Tombola, the Garda has carried out 1,218 fireworks seizures to an estimated value of €225,000. These seizures have undoubtedly contributed to reducing the harm associated with the illegal use of fireworks. The penalties for importing, selling or using unlicensed fireworks are significant and Part 6 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 provides the Garda with the power to arrest people found with unlicensed fireworks and sets out significant penalties on conviction, as the Deputy alluded to, including fines up to €10,000 or up to five years' imprisonment for possession with intent to sell or supply.

There is some amount of regulation in the area. I will write to the Deputy after this session to inform him what we have in the area of regulation.

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