Councillors call for ban on official firework displays

Fireworks may no longer be a feature of Dublin City Council Halloween and New Year’s Eve events after a motion was passed by councillors last week.

Fianna Fail councillor for Clontarf Deirdre Heney tabled a motion at the Arts, Culture, Leisure and Recreation Committee meeting calling on the council to implement a “policy of non-use of fireworks.”

In the motion, Heney says that fireworks should not be used by the council “due to the negative effects on people, animals and our environment.”

Instead, the council should promote “the use of alternative types of entertainment, e.g. outdoor film screenings, parades, (Bram Stoker Halloween Spooktacular, Bram Stoker Park,) at Halloween and festive occasion,” she says.

Heney says that she is not trying to be a “killjoy” but is concerned about the “detrimental effect” fireworks have on people and animals.

The committee was largely in favour of the motion, voting 10 in favour versus three against.

Heney says that the council hosts and promotes other seasonal events that do not include fireworks which are popular among residents.

Local Green Party councillor Donna Cooney said she supported the motion due to the environmental impact of fireworks.

“Most of us have enjoyed fireworks displays. We may not have been aware of the pollutant that it emits,” she said.

Social Democrats councillor Cat O’Driscoll shared the concerns saying that fireworks are “primarily a hazard for air quality and people with respiratory issues. I’ve certainly fallen out of love with them.”

O’Driscoll posed the idea of organising drone or laser shows instead.

However, some councillors said the use of illegal fireworks may increase if council restricted their regulated use.

People Before Profit councillor for Ballyfermot Hazel de Nortúin said local residents look forward to the firework display every Halloween.

“There would be a huge outcry,” she said. “Some areas are just at a level of stability that anything can rock it either way.”

Sinn Fein councillor Séamas McGrattan also warned that problems could arise if the firework shows are stopped.

Executive manager of the council Anthony Flynn said the local authority cannot stop other agencies from holding firework displays but in recent years the council has “gone down the avenue of not having any fireworks displays in our events”.

The New Years Eve firework show is being ran by Fáilte Ireland and the final say lies with the Department of Justice on all similar displays, says Flynn.

“There probably would be scope with regards to Dublin City Council events in general if it was agreed,” he said.

The motion will now be brought to the full city council in the future to be debated.