An advertising campaign will be launched later this week highlighting the dangers of illegal fireworks and the new fines and jail sentences that can be imposed.
Under legislation introduced last year, people who import and trade in illegal fireworks can face up to six months in jail and up to €10,000 in fines.
However, weeks before Halloween, illegal fireworks are already making lives a misery for people in Dublin, according to Labour TD Joe Costello. He said elderly people were living in fear of having an incendiary put through their letterboxes.
He also warned of the need to protect innocent people after a young Dublin schoolgirl had a banger thrown at her, injuring her hand and neck.
Mr Costello said Minister for Justice Michael McDowell needed to deal with the issue on the ground by co-ordinating with legislation in Northern Ireland and Britain where nearly all fireworks emanate.
He questioned the effectiveness of new proposals from Mr McDowell. "In reality it is little more than a provision in the Criminal Justice Act, 2006, that increases penalties for the possession, igniting, propelling and intent to sell or supply illegal fireworks without a licence," he said.
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