Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will raise directly with his counterpart in Northern Ireland, the possibility of introducing an all-island ban on the sale and unlicensed use of fireworks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2463/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Explosives Act 1875 provides for the control of the importation, manufacture, storage and sale of fireworks. Accordingly, fireworks may not be imported into the State except under an importation licence granted by my Department. It is long standing policy that these licences are granted only for organised displays conducted by competent and professional operators. The 1875 Act was amended by the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 which came into effect in August, 2006 to provide for new offences governing the possession of illegally imported fireworks with intent to supply. The amendments also provided for significantly increased penalties governing the illegal importation, sale and use of fireworks. Officials of my Department meet, from time to time, with their counterparts in Northern Ireland to discuss issues of mutual concern in relation to the control of fireworks. However, as the Deputy will appreciate, any possible change in Northern Ireland's fireworks policy is a matter for the relevant authorities in that jurisdiction to consider.