McAuliffe calls for crackdown on fireworks

Fianna Fáil TD Paul McAuliffe has questioned what laws are in place to prevent people from illegally setting off fireworks in the run-up to Halloween.

The Dublin North-West TD said he heard that fireworks were being used in his area as early as August.

He agreed with party colleague Niall Collins that fireworks have adverse effects on humans and animals alike, but questioned if current legislation is up to scratch.

“There is also a danger to people because, effectively, these are unregulated illegal products,” he said.

He questioned whether current penalties (a fine of €10,000 or up to five years’ imprisonment) go far enough.

“If one were to go to any part of Dublin in the next couple of weeks, one would not know that fireworks were illegal. I accept it is a complicated matter, but I believe we need to review the penalties involved,” McAuliffe said.

“The issue of fireworks is complex. We do not necessarily want to be displacing significant amounts of Garda time, which we know is under pressure in a range of other areas.”

“It is a difficult situation for people to accept, namely that something is illegal and the law is being broken in such a significant way; perhaps a review by the Department of this area is required,” he said.

Fellow Fianna Fáil TD Collins said “I accept what the Deputy said about the season starting earlier and earlier each year, which is regrettable; that is true of the community in which I live, which is a rural part of Limerick. Some elderly neighbours were very put out by it.”

He noted that under Operation Tombola, the Garda has carried out 1,218 fireworks seizures to an estimated value of €225,000.

“These seizures have undoubtedly contributed to reducing the harm associated with the illegal use of fireworks,” Collins said.

“The penalties for importing, selling or using unlicensed fireworks are significant and Part 6 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 provides the Garda with the power to arrest people found with unlicensed fireworks and sets out significant penalties on conviction, as the Deputy alluded to, including fines up to €10,000 or up to five years’ imprisonment for possession with intent to sell or supply.”

Collins said that while there is existing regulation in the area, he would work with McAuliffe on seeing what regulations can and can’t be changed as part of the legal system.

McAuliffe said, “I would like to point out the considerable work of Dublin Fire Brigade in trying to dissuade people, and I’d acknowledge the work of the local authorities, particularly Dublin City Council, in respect of pro-social activity.”

“I encourage anybody in the city to come to either the Finglas Fright Night or the Ballymun Otherworld festival. They are fantastic family-fun events that are packed with culture and lots of local community celebrations. They are very positive. They have effectively eliminated bonfires in our area by providing an alternative,” he stated.