Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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698. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the quantity of fireworks seized by Gardaí within the Dublin region in the 2025 Halloween period; if he will provide the same figures for the corresponding period in 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [60973/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department plays a significant role through its annual Fireworks Awareness Raising Campaign in informing the public about the serious dangers associated with fireworks and the penalties that people can face for selling or using illegal fireworks. I launched this years campaign on the 24 September last.

Each year 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 what is known as Operation Tombola. This year Operation Tombola commenced on 1 October.

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. 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.

The below table records number of fireworks offences reported for 2023, 2024 and 2025 (as of 9 November 2025) as well as the number of those incidents which have been sanctioned.

Also included is the count of seized objects linked with those Fireworks Offences incidents each year as well as the estimated value recorded in PULSE.

The following table provides details of the number of incidents classified and detailed on our PULSE system as Firework Offences.

**The Seized Object column reflects objects or items recorded on the PULSE system which were either described as an ‘explosive’ or ‘firework’ and was thereby seized in conjunction with a Fireworks Offences incident.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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699. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí who went to the UK for a specialist training course that is not available within the State in 2024 and to date in 2025; and the name and duration of this course, in tabular form. [60974/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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700. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question number 277 of 16 October 2025, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities in order to answer this PQ. [60975/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes all operational policing matters.

Furthermore, under Section 72(1) of the Policing Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer of An Garda Síochána and is responsible for the Garda budget. As Minister I have no role in these matters.

I have been advised by the Garda authorities that in 2024, €1,180 was spent on the purchase of anti-spit hoods. There has been no expenditure, to date, in 2025.