Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 3

Written Answers. - Importation of Fireworks.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

484 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department will consider the importation of fireworks for sale by licensed outlets under strict conditions as a means of preventing illegal importation, ensuring the controlled sale of good quality products and due to the fact the sale of fireworks is permitted in most EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9893/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The Explosives Act, 1875, classifies fireworks as explosives and requires a licence to be issued for their importation. Current policy only permits, subject to certain conditions, the authorisation of the importation of fireworks for organised displays conducted by professional operators and there are no proposals to go beyond this at present.

I wish to assure the Deputy that the illegal importation of fireworks is always a matter of grave concern to myself and the Garda auth orities. Because of the dangers posed by these fireworks, the Garda Síochána have always taken strong measures, with a great deal of success, to cut off the supply of illegally imported fireworks.