Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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56. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality following the launch of a new awareness campaign in September 2025 targeting the misuse of illegal fireworks, if he will consider additional measures in the coming years to address the prevalence of illegal fireworks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54150/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am well aware of the misery and distress the use of illegal fireworks can cause around this time of year. We also hear and see enough to know that they pose a real risk to the health and safety of young people, and the elderly and vulnerable. They also terrify family pets, service dogs and other animals.

My Department runs an annual awareness campaign which seeks to inform and educate the public about the serious dangers associated with fireworks and the penalties people can face for selling or using them. I was pleased to launch that campaign two weeks ago at the Dublin Fire Brigade Training Centre.

In addition to this awareness raising work in the run up to Halloween, An Garda Síochána through Operation Tombola operates a nationwide policing plan focused on the prevention and detection of the sale of fireworks and associated public order and anti-social behaviour issues during the Halloween period. It combats the importation, sale and distribution of illegal fireworks through intelligence-led operations, searches and seizures, as well as focusing on preventing associated public disorder and anti-social behaviour.

Over the past decade, under Operation Tombola, Gardaí have carried out 1,218 fireworks seizures to an estimated value of €225,000. These seizures have undoubtedly contributed to reducing the harm associated with the illegal use of fireworks. The penalties for importing, selling or using unlicensed fireworks are significant and Part 6 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 gives Gardaí power to arrest people found with unlicensed fireworks and sets out significant penalties on conviction, including fines up to €10,000 or up to five years' imprisonment for possession with intent to sell or supply.

These penalties, which can also apply to those convicted of throwing an ignited firework at a person or property, demonstrate the seriousness attached to breaches of the legislation governing the importation and use of fireworks.

I can further advise the Deputy that all pyrotechnics in Europe, including fireworks, fall under the EU Pyrotechnic Directive 2013/29/EU.

This Directive aims to provide free movement of fireworks throughout the EU and under Article 4 it permits Member States to restrict the availability of Category F2 and Category F3 fireworks to the general public.

The EU Commission are currently carrying out an evaluation of Directive 2013/29/EU to decide whether or not to carry out a full revision of this Directive. The outcome of this evaluation could be used to inform future decisions in relation to fireworks.