Under the Explosives Act, 1875 a licence is required to be issued by my Department for the importation of fireworks. It is long-standing policy that such licences are only issued for organised public displays conducted by professional operators.
Despite this restriction, it is clear that supplies of fireworks continue to be imported illegally into the country, particularly around Halloween. Each year at this time a concerted effort is made by an Garda Síochána to control the illegal possession, sale and use of fireworks and bangers. Special measures are also taken in addition to the normal routine policing measures. These include the setting up of a special Garda unit consisting of a garda sergeant and three gardaí specifically to deal with the fireworks problem; attention to known trouble areas; liaison with other services; and arrangements to have the dangers of fireworks publicised in the media.