Vol. 572 No. 3
470 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason he did not address the issues raised in Parliamentary Question No. 481 of 7 October 2003; if he has made progress in reviewing the law on fireworks and explosives; and his plans to come to the aid of senior citizens in particular who are being terrified by fireworks. [23225/03]
As the Deputy is aware, under the Explosives Act 1875 my Department has responsibility for the importation, transportation and storage of explosives, including fireworks. Consequently to import fireworks an importation licence granted by my Department is required. It is a long-standing policy that these importation licences are granted only for organised displays conducted by professional and experienced operators. Prior to the granting of an importation licence, my Department consults with the relevant local authority and the Garda Síochána to establish if there are any objections to the granting of a licence. Indeed, the relevant local authority and the Garda Síochána are empowered by statute to prevent any organised display from proceeding, if, in the opinion of either authority, it is not safe to do so. Importation licences are not granted to import fireworks for sale.
In enforcing the regulations regarding fireworks, I am informed by the Garda authorities that they make full use of the Customs Consolidation Act 1876, the Casual Trading Acts 1980 and 1995 and the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. Every effort is made by the Garda Síochána to identify persons involved in the illegal importation and sale of all types of fireworks.
