Debate contribution: Fireworks Legislation

Debate contribution by Mr Patsy McGlone on 18 November 2025.

MLA

Mr Patsy McGlone

Party at the time

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Date

18 November 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Fireworks Legislation

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5244640

Read the official Assembly record

Text

The SDLP welcomes and, indeed, supports the motion. The legislation that regulates the use of fireworks is almost a quarter of a century old and needs to be modernised. Every year, the same warnings are issued. The public are reminded that they need a licence to use fireworks and that it is an offence to buy, possess and use certain types of fireworks without a licence. Every year, however, a significant number of people ignore those warnings, and, every year, unnecessary injuries, stress and anxiety are caused by people using fireworks incorrectly. Fireworks are not toys, as we are repeatedly reminded: they are explosive devices. We know that sudden, loud explosions from traditional fireworks can cause significant stress and anxiety for people, pets and wildlife. Animals will often experience intense panic. Dogs and cats may suffer heightened anxiety, disorientation and, in some of the more vicious cases, injuries. Wildlife is similarly affected. People with conditions such as PTSD, young people with autism and other neurodiverse people can experience heightened anxiety and panic during fireworks displays. The Minister has said in response to questions for written answer that she is not considering a review of the legal framework for the buying and selling of fireworks here. She said that she has:

"no plans for an assessment of the existing fireworks licensing arrangements"

— that is the important bit that needs to be done — and:

"Any concerns about the misuse of fireworks should be reported to the PSNI."

Over 1,000 fireworks incidents were reported to the PSNI in each of the past four years, and almost 2,000 such incidents were reported in 2020, yet the PSNI does not appear to know whether the fireworks in those incidents were possessed legally. How can the legislation be enforced if that is not known?

Yes, certainly.

Thank you very much indeed. I thank the Minister for that clarification. It would be useful to know, however, how many cases were actively pursued by the police and in how many such cases the location was identified and the perpetrators, if they were perpetrators, were cautioned or the police took other measures. In the Assembly last week, the Minister said that she was "not entirely sure" that a review of the legislation would be appropriate, given the limited resources available to the Department. At the same time, the Minister suggested that she might do something around penalties and enforcement, and we see that in the amendment today. That would, of course, require the PSNI to identify those in breach of the legislation, which is the very point that the Minister made. The Minister should look at strengthening penalties and enforcement for breaches of the firework legislation, if the evidence supports it. The best way to get that evidence would be to review the effectiveness of the legislation. However, that was, at least, a tacit acknowledgement by the Minister that the current regulations are not as effective or as robust as they should be. The Minister has also claimed that the reduction in the number of firework licences being granted by the Department indicates that people are moving to other kinds of celebratory displays. The reality is that responsible, organised events, which might, in previous years, have involved traditional fireworks displays, are, increasingly, moving to safer methods of celebration, which is good. We have seen how those celebratory events attract young people and families, such as the one at the marina in Ballyronan, which is not that far from my home. Such celebrations better protect the welfare of people, animals and communities and demonstrate a better understanding of the responsibility of living in a shared environment. However, generally, it is not the responsible, organised events that cause the problems, as we well know. A reduction in the number of licences being granted could just as easily mean that, overall, fewer people are applying for those licences, not that more people are moving away from the use of fireworks. The SDLP is certainly not calling for a complete ban on the sale of fireworks here, and neither is the motion. A review would ensure that the legislation provides appropriate safeguards, promotes responsible celebration and better protects the welfare of people, animals and communities. That is what we believe the public wants to see, and it is why we support the motion.

722 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 14:00 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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