Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 460 of 4 October 2005 in regard to illegal fireworks, his views on the number of members of the force which will be involved in Operation Tombola; and the additional resources which will be provided in ensuring there is adherence to fireworks legislation. [27916/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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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 being intelligence driven, will be coupled with sporadic high-visibility policing activities. All operational gardaí are involved in this initiative, with dedicated resources deployed in specific intelligence-led operations, as the need arises.