Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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112. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the formal or informal arrangements for co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI in relation to the use of illegal fireworks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24242/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, fireworks, because they are explosives, are regulated under national and EU legislation and can only be imported into the country under licence and stored and sold in accordance with the explosives law. Ireland has particularly robust laws governing the

importation and use of fireworks which the An Garda Síochána have the power to enforce under the Criminal Justice Act 2006. In addition to the provisions contained in the 2006 Act,  An Garda Síochána have available to them a number of strong legislative provisions to combat anti-social behaviour more generally and include -

- the Criminal Damage Act 1991;

- Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994;

- the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003; and

- the Intoxicating Liquor Acts 2003 and 2008.

There is ongoing close cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI on all aspects of policing. While this close cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI continues all year, at this time of year, in advance of Halloween, a significant element of this liaison work focuses on the sale of illegal fireworks. I understand that information is shared between An Garda Síochána and PSNI at local levels and where necessary appropriate policing operations are put in place on an intelligence-led basis.

At a national level, in the run up to Halloween, additional efforts are made by An Garda Síochána to combat the illegal importation, sale and use of fireworks, under 'Operation Tombola'. Operation Tombola is a national campaign within An Garda Síochána which specifically focuses on preventing and detecting the sale of illegal fireworks. The campaign, which relies on Garda intelligence as well as high-visibility policing activity, also focuses on preventing associated public disorder and anti-social behaviour through the incremental deployment of resources which has proven to be operationally effective on a national basis.