Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prosecutions that were taken as a result of seizures of illegal fireworks in each of the years 1997 to date in 2006; the number of convictions and the penalties as a result of these seizures imposed for each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34909/06]

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 66: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of illegal fireworks that were seized by An Garda Síochána in each of the years 1997 to date in 2006; the number of prosecutions that were taken as a result of these seizures; the number of convictions and the penalties as a result of these seizures imposed for each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34915/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 66 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the manner in which statistics were collated prior to 2004 does not allow the number of seizures to be identified, however over 63,000 fireworks were seized between 2000 and 2003.

The following table shows the number of seizures and approximate value of fireworks seized between 2004 and to date in 2006.

I am further informed by the Garda Authorities that from 2000 to date in 2006 there have been 13 proceedings commenced, with no convictions recorded, for offences under the Explosives Act, 1875 relating to fireworks. The Explosives Act, 1875 has been amended by Part 6 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 which came into effect on 1 August, 2006.

Statistics on seizures and prosecutions prior to 2000 are not readily available and can only be obtained by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.