THE Director of Consumer Affairs, Mr William Fagan, has described the ban on fireworks as "idiotic" and said that it is endangering people's safety. There is now a strong case for legalising them, he believes.
"We are a bit fed up with the situation with fireworks", Mr Fagan said. "No one seems to listen and no one seems to care. Perhaps the ban itself is counterproductive."
Children around the country will tonight continue the tradition of lighting Hallowe'en bonfires and setting off large numbers of illegally bought fireworks. Last year 20 people were treated for firework related injuries in the latter part of October, according to a survey conducted for Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin.
Despite the illegality of fireworks, Mr Fagan has issued guidelines on their use. He says that parents should check to see if their children have fireworks. Adults should supervise their use as well as ensuring that children under 16 are not allowed to set them off.
Mr Fagan said that his office was taking the "unusual step" of advising consumers about the use of illegal products with a degree of regret.
"We don't condone anyone breaking the law, but we're trying to get across a message in a situation where you are not allowed to use them anyway", he said. "That's idiotic. Although the use of fireworks is illegal, the law is disregarded on a wide scale and the gardai can't do anything about it."
Mr Fagan believes the ban makes it less likely that safe fireworks are made available in Ireland. "Many of the fireworks don't operate to any recognised standards, especially those from the Far East. Consumer safety is being endangered by virtue of this ban."
He advised parents that fireworks bearing the BS 7114 marking can be regarded as safe, but only if used properly.
The Office of Consumer Affairs has asked a UK expert to purchase fireworks on the streets of Dublin. A report will then be compiled combining his findings with hospital statistics on injuries. Mr Fagan said that the report prepared by his office could recommend the legalisation of fireworks and the introduction of better safety standards.
The ISPCA has called on animal owners to keep their pets securely under control and, if possible, indoors during tonight's Hallowe'en festivities.
"The sudden explosions caused by bangers and fireworks can terrify domestic animals and have often resulted in road accidents caused by animals trying to escape", said Mr Ciaran O'Donovan, the chief executive of the ISPCA.
Police and medical authorities in Northern Ireland renewed their warning about the dangers of fireworks yesterday following incidents on Tuesday night in which two young boys were injured.
In Larne, Co Antrim, a 10 year old boy lost the tip of one finger and badly injured another finger and thumb when a banger exploded in his hand. In Warrenpoint, Co Down, an eight year old boy received minor burns to his back when a banger allegedly thrown at him by older boys landed on his tracksuit.
Although the fireworks legislation was relaxed in the North recently, the RUC points out that all bangers are still prohibited.