2188. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures his Department is taking to address the use of fireworks in the leadup to Halloween 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60818/26]

I am aware of the distress the use of illegal fireworks can cause around Halloween. The use of illegal fireworks is of serious concern in terms of anti-social behaviour and they pose a real risk to the health and safety children, teenagers and older or more vulnerable people. They also cause distress to family pets, service dogs and other animals.

All pyrotechnics in Europe, including fireworks, fall under the EU Pyrotechnic Directive 2013/29/EU. Under Article 4, Member States are permitted to restrict the availability of hazardous fireworks to the general public.

In Ireland, the only fireworks available to the general public are Category F1 fireworks which present a 'very low hazard' and negligible noise level. Only professional pyrotechnic operators are permitted to use more hazardous Category F2, F3 and F4 fireworks for public displays at festivals and weddings, following the successful conclusion of a risk assessment and consultation with relevant local authorities including the Fire Service and An Garda Síochána.

Anyone importing or selling fireworks of any kind must have a licence, and licences are only issued for hazardous fireworks if they are to be used in organised displays conducted by professional and competent operators.

The penalties for importing, selling or using unlicensed fireworks are significant. The Criminal Justice Act 2006, specifically Part 6, grants members of An Garda Síochána the power to arrest individuals found with unlicensed fireworks and impose significant penalties, including fines up to €10,000 or up to five years' imprisonment for possession with intent to sell or supply, or for igniting them. These penalties, which can also apply to those convicted or throwing an ignited firework at a person or property, demonstrate the seriousness attached to breaches of the legislation governing the importation and use of fireworks.

My Department runs an annual Fireworks Awareness Raising Campaign that informs the public about the serious dangers associated with fireworks and the penalties that people can face for selling or using illegal fireworks.

An Garda Síochána, through Operation Tombola, runs a nationwide policing plan focused on the prevention and detection of the sale of fireworks and associated public order and anti-social behaviour issues during the Halloween period.

Operation Tombola combats the importation, sale and distribution of illegal fireworks, through intelligence-led operations, visits to local car boot sales, searches and seizures of fireworks, as well as focusing on preventing associated public disorder and anti-social behaviour through the incremental deployment of resources.

Since 2016, An Garda Síochána have carried out 1,883 fireworks seizures, with a value of €347,516. These seizures have undoubtedly contributed to reducing harm associated with the illegal use of fireworks.

A key component of Operation Tombola is active engagement with local authorities and partner agencies in each Garda division, and gardaí collaborate closely with these stakeholders to ensure a unified approach to preventing anti-social behaviour during the Halloween period.

In addition, very good work is undertaken by local authorities and community groups to organise safe fun events for children and young people in our communities around Halloween and these often include firework displays by professional pyrotechnic operators.