Fireworks

DaftDaze

This is my first post so please excuse me if I posted this in the wrong forum.

It looks like the Govt are reviewing the current firework law fiasco, so I presume we can talk about them on the boards without getting banned
I Just noticed this a few days ago, and it looks like time is running out if Joe Public want to submit their concerns.

Does anyone think the law should be tightened or liberalised ? Judging from the amount of fireworks around on Halloween the current law and it's enforcement is a joke.

-DaftDaze

Minister launches Review of Fireworks Policy

Mr Michael McDowell, TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform today published a Consultation Document on Fireworks Policy. The consultation document outlines existing fireworks law and policy, current problems in relation to their safe use and outlines a number of options for change.

Launching the consultation process, the Minister said "I am satisfied that there is a need for change in both the law and policy governing fireworks and I hope that the consultation document published today will generate widespread public discussion on the control of fireworks. I am inviting submissions from members of the public and representative bodies on the document."

While current Irish law on fireworks does not specifically ban the importation, manufacture, sale or use of fireworks, it is Government policy, in the interest of safety and security, to restrict, to the greatest extent possible, the availability of any category of firework to the general public. Fireworks may only be imported into Ireland on foot of an importation licence granted by the Minister and currently licenses are only issued for the importation of fireworks used in organised displays, conducted by "professional/competent operators".

The Minister also signalled that, as an interim measure, proposals in relation to tackling the illegal use of fireworks are being developed which include significant increases in the existing penalties for illegal importation, sale and use of fireworks and the introduction of a new offence of possession of fireworks with intent to supply. He proposes to bring these measures forward in the context of the Criminal Justice Bill which is currently before the Dail.

Submissions may be sent by email to fireworks2005@justice.ie before 31 May 2005 or alternatively to:

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Firearms and Explosives Division
94 St. Stephen's Green
Dublin 2

Copies of the document are available on the Department's website at www.justice.ie

Basq

Too long.....

..... ban him!

DaftDaze

OK I'll make this one real short - where is the forum for long posts

Trojan

I'd imagine Humanities is the correct forum.

The_Conductor

This is probably the link the original poster had in mind:

http://www.justice.ie/80256E010039C5AF/vWeb/flJUSQ6AXJGN-en/$File/Fireworks.pdf

Shane

jamieh

I think fireworks should be legallised.
The reason so many accidents happen at Halloween is because most of the fireworks we get are dodgy ones. If they were legalised we could get proper, safer fireworks from the UK and the EU instead of the crappy Japanese and Chinese ones!!

billy the squid

I too do believe that fireworks should be legalised also, but I would like to see some seriously stringient regulations involved. These would include:

An age limit on the sale of fireworks, maybe 18 years of age.

Tight regulations on the safety of these fireworks. Each manufacturer would have to meet strict safety protocols and product standards.

A ban on fireworks in residential areas. Places such as parks could be used to put on fireworks displays should people want to let off fireworks with their families or whatever.

Persons cought selling fireworks without a licence or from their place of residence would receive the same jail sentence as someone found with any other type of explosive in their house.

If the idea of banning fireworks in residential areas did not work, then I would suggest having a 1km exclusion zone, or fireworks free zone around the homes of people who are in possession of a guide dog. Anyone caught letting off fireworks within this exclusion zone would face a minimum fine of €30,000, as this is what it costs to replace a guide dog after it has been ruined by fireworks noises.

Another idea might be to set up designated areas every year for people to have their fun with fireworks.

jetsonx

wow, the goverment are actually talking about banning fireworks and its not even Halloween....usually two weeks before and two weeks after oct 31 they talk about it and then just drop the issue....

same with the leaving cert.....talk about changes two weeks before and then two weeks after and then drop it....

billy the squid

jetsonx wrote:

wow, the goverment are actually talking about banning fireworks and its not even Halloween....usually two weeks before and two weeks after oct 31 they talk about it and then just drop the issue....

same with the leaving cert.....talk about changes two weeks before and then two weeks after and then drop it....

actually its the other way around, fireworks are banned, but because the criminal sale of them is so prolific, it just seems as though they are legal.

The consultation would appear to be looking for suggestions on whether or not to relax the laws on fireworks.

tinkerbell

It is not illegal to set off fireworks if you have a license for it. My dad got a license a few years ago, and at the time, only three people in the whole country (including him) had a license. He had to go through a bit rigmarole with the government, twas very difficult to get the license. But he has it now so he's one of the few people here that is actually allowed to set them off!

The_Conductor

Yes, its a form of firearms certificate (though apparently its easier to get a firearm cert than one for fireworks (oddly enough)).
They have relaxed a lot of the rules of late though

tinkerbell

Yah, getting the license for setting off fireworks was insane, he had to jump through hoops practically! Involved long talks with the minister for whatever it was at the time, they made him do some specialised course, etc. Twas crazy! Getting a firearms cert is no hassle in comparisson, you're right - that is very odd

OfflerCrocGod

Legalise them in Italy I could buy all sorts of cool fireworks and bangers from my local shoping centre it was brilliant fun More fun!

Xterminator

At least if they legalised them, they could teach kids a safe code of using them in school, something like the safecross code they teach for crossing the road. I see them playing chicken with fireworks, and putting them in people's hoods etc.

That might actually put a dent in the no's of young poeple appearing in casualty around halloween with nasty firework related injuries.

At least if small fireworks were un-banned, the huge profits the casual merchants make from importing them and sellng them would be dented, making selling fireworks illegaly less attractive. This might lead to less of the uber-powerful ones on the street at halloween!

X

elewton

Tinkerbel (or anyone who can help) - How did your father get his pyrotechnics license? Did he just arrange a meeting with Minister the Minister for Justice, equality and Law Reform and find out what hoops needed jumping?

I'm looking to get one and I'd be happy to do safety courses etc.

Thanks.

AdMMM

If Fireworks were to be legalised here then they'd be retailing for a fairly high price because of the strict manufacturing standards that would have to be met.

Lets use the Music industry as an example, you can buy good quality legit CD's in the shops, yet people download music and copy cd's because it's cheaper (sometimes Free).

Therefore carrying this logic over to fireworks, while you may very well be able to buy high quality ones in certain stores, you will still be able to buy dodgy chinese ones from your average shifty looking character down an alley and I reckon thats what most people will do.

Legalising fireworks without cramping down on the importation of these fireworks wouldnt achieve anything as people would still buy them. Unfortunately it's nigh on impossible to control the importation from across the border!

elewton

If I download a poor quality MP3, it's unlikely to take my fingers off. Also, they aren't the kinds of things that encourage random inspection.

I think that the best thing to do is to look to other countries. When I have been abroad, we usually just bought legal fireworks from vendors. In fact, I don't think I was ever offered to do otherwise.

Bearing in mind that we are an Island community (making smuggling of significant numbers of illegal fireworks more difficult), I think that the legalisation would make things safer.

AdMMM

On the contrary, it is easier to smuggle items in. Mostly from Northern Ireland where (if I remember correctly) it is LEGAL to sell fireworks. With the majority of the border being open, it is easy for people to drive van loads (sometimes even truckloads) of fireworks (and other illegal items may I add) into our country

elewton

Would it be easier to smuggle in poor quality fireworks?

Bearing in mind that NI has quality controls too.