Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 4

Written Answers. - Sale of Fireworks.

Mary Harney

Ceist:

213 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Justice if she has satisfied herself with the regulations which apply to the sale of fireworks and other dangerous substances which may cause injury to young people during the run-up to Halloween. [19223/96]

Eoin Ryan

Ceist:

218 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the legislation, if any, which is planned to restrict the availability of substantial fireworks to the public; and the new regulations, if any, under consideration to control the sale of fireworks. [19073/96]

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

220 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice the steps, if any, being taken to stop the sale of fireworks to children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19111/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 213, 218 and 220 together.

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. The Garda Síochána, who are concerned about the dangers posed by illegally imported fireworks, make a concerted effort at this time each year to control the illegal possession, sale and use of fireworks and bangers. Special measures are taken in addition to the normal routine policing measures. These include: the setting up of a Special Garda Unit in Dublin consisting of a Garda sergeant and five 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.

Moreover, the Garda authorities monitor the supply and storage of fireworks. Special attention is paid to ports and the Border areas. Significant seizures are made each year as a result of their vigilance. In 1994 and 1995 illegally imported fireworks vlaued at approximately £120,000 and £100,000 respectively, were confiscated by the gardaí over the Halloween period and subsequently destroyed. In the Dublin area the value of confiscated illegal fireworks was in excess of £86,000.

I realise that despite the measures the Garda Síochána are taking, there is a very visible flouting of the law by casual traders on our streets. There are a number of obstacles to stopping this widespread trade including the difficulties of achieving successful prosecutions from which penalties with sufficient deterrence would result. I have nevertheless asked the Commissioner to give special attention to this problem and to carry out a review as soon as possible of the measures that should be taken to put an end to this trade in the future.