Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Today is the last day of September, but since August residential communities right across Dublin city have been tormented and terrorised by the sound and the sight of illegal fireworks. This is not limited to any one part of the city; it is taking place right across the city and, I am sure, in other residential areas around the country. The fireworks are illegal. It is illegal to purchase them, sell them or set them off. The Garda can respond to illegal activity, but that is all it can do - respond. Fireworks are not only illegal but also really dangerous. They are mini-explosives, they are missiles and they can inflict life-changing injuries. I know young people whose lives have been changed by such injuries. They are devastating for the young persons, their families and their friends. My concern is that tomorrow, 1 October, we are facing into the run-up to Hallowe'en. It was devastating for the city of Dublin to hear the Lord Mayor talk in September about cancelling New Year's Eve when we have not even got to Hallowe'en. We are all under stress in the city. Young people in particular are suffering from a reduced number of outlets, so we need to support our young people and we need the city council to support them in the run-up to Hallowe'en by organising activities in a socially distanced and safe way. I would like the Minister for Justice and Equality to respond to the question of whether or not the Garda in the metropolitan area has the resources to investigate, tackle and apprehend the people who are devastating our communities with these fireworks. I would also like the Minister for Justice and Equality to take a preventive and proactive measure in using social media to get messages out to young people in order to help to reduce the potential harm and damage not only to them but also to our communities.