Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 460: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he is taking to curtail the availability of fireworks in the lead up to Hallowe'en; if he is aware of the fear and serious distress which the widespread use of fireworks and bangers cause to the public, especially the elderly; if he is further aware that these products are widely available in several major outlets on the N1 on or near the Border; if he will request the Garda authorities to deal with the plentiful supply of these products from this source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26809/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I assure the Deputy that I am aware of the dangers posed by the use of illegal fireworks and the distress they cause, particularly at this time of year.

The Explosives Act 1875 provides for the control of the importation, manufacture, storage and sale of fireworks. As the Deputy is aware, last February I published a fireworks policy consultation document and initiated a process of consultation with a view to bringing forward proposals for amending and strengthening the provisions in the 1875 Act. My Department has received and is examining a wide range of submissions in response to the consultation document.

It is already clear from the submissions received that, among the options for change outlined in the consultation document, there is a general acknowledgement of the need to strengthen the enforcement provisions in the 1875 Act. Accordingly, I propose to take the opportunity presented by the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is currently before the House, to bring forward, on Committee Stage, amendments to provide for new offences governing the misuse of fireworks in public places and an offence of possession of illegally imported fireworks with intent to supply. I also propose to significantly increase penalties governing the illegal importation, sale and use of fireworks.

The Garda authorities make every effort to identify persons involved in the illegal importation and sale of all types of fireworks. Where necessary, specific policing plans are put in place in areas where particular problems arise. These plans include intelligence gathering on known dealers and suppliers and, once identified, putting plans in place to arrest them and seize their stocks of illegal fireworks.

Each year leading up to Hallowe'en, special efforts are made to combat the illegal importation of fireworks. This year an intelligence-led operation called Operation Tombola, which aims to prevent and detect the organised importation, for sale, of fireworks, 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 intelligence driven, will be coupled with sporadic high-visibility policing activities.