Vol. 544 No. 3
410 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the regulations governing the setting off of fireworks by individual members of the public and by organisations with private grounds; the conditions which apply to persons who obtain licences for firework displays; and if he will make a statement on the adequacy of existing regulations to protect the public. [28973/01]
In accordance with the Explosives Act, 1875, fireworks are deemed to be explosives. Accordingly, they may not be imported into the State except under an importation licence granted by my Department. It is a long standing policy that these licences are granted only for organised displays conducted by knowledgeable and professional operators. The following are the conditions which are attached to the importation licences. The organisers and operators must co-operate fully with all instructions issued by the Garda Síochána and the fire authorities and the display must be conducted at all times with due regard to public safety. In addition, the fireworks must be classified and labelled in accordance with the UN hazard classification system; be packed in accordance with the UN recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods; conform with the requirements of the Classification and the Labelling of Explosives Order, 1994, S.I. No. 450 of 1994; be conveyed in accordance with the provisions of the European agreement on the international carriage of dangerous goods by road; be retained in their parent packs during any period of transport and storage; be stored in a safe and suitable place with all due regard to public safety.
The current restrictive policy for the granting of importation licences for fireworks is aimed at protecting the public from the inherent dangers of fireworks while at the same time ensuring that they are not deprived of the spectacle of fireworks. However, as I have indicated in replies to previous questions on this subject, my Department is reviewing the legislation relating to explosives and this review will extend to the law and the policy on the regulation and control of fireworks.
