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Dublin Fire Bridge, Irish Guide Dogs & ISPCA Launch Fireworks Awareness Campaign 2023.

Fireworks Awareness Campaign 2023

The Minister of State, Mr James Browne TD, has today assisted in launching an awareness campaign raising campaign urging against the misuse of fireworks, in collaboration with An Garda Síochána; the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA); Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, and Dublin Fire Brigade at the Dublin Fire Brigade Training Centre in Marino.

The Department of Justice runs an annual campaign to inform the public about the serious dangers associated with fireworks and the significant penalties that people face for selling or using illegal fireworks.

This year’s campaign focusses on the significant distress that fireworks can cause vulnerable people in their communities, particularly elderly people and those with sensory issues. They can also cause great harm and stress to family pets, Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs, and that is why this year’s campaign is being launched in collaboration with the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, the ISPCA, Dublin Fire Brigade, and An Garda Síochána.

Speaking at the launch of the awareness campaign, Minister Browne said, “As we head into the run-up to Halloween, I would like to urge everyone to refrain from purchasing or using illegal fireworks. When misused, they are a nuisance to our communities, but they can also have a detrimental impact on the wellbeing of some more vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly and people with sensory challenges.
Fireworks can be very frightening for elderly people living alone and they can also seriously aggravate Guide and Assistance Dogs and other pets.
It is also important to acknowledge that fireworks are illegal and there are serious penalties in place for those caught misusing them. For example, a person convicted of having fireworks in their possession with intent to sell or supply can face penalties including a fine of up to €10,000 and up to five years imprisonment.”

Minister Browne welcomed the continued collaboration with the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, ISPCA, Dublin Fire Brigade, and An Garda Síochána. The ongoing awareness campaign and associated advertisement campaign is aimed at the general public, but particular attention is being given to targeting the younger generation and their parents as these groups are most likely to engage in the use of illegal fireworks.

Minister Browne continued, “Parents, particularly those with young children, should be aware of the dangers associated with the misuse of fireworks.
We have unfortunately seen many instances where people have done serious and permanent damage to themselves or others through the misuse of fireworks and I would ask parents to take this into consideration before they purchase illegal fireworks for their children”.

Echoing the Minister’s sentiments, Mr Tim O’Mahony, Chief Executive from the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind said, “Every year our team is faced with the heartbreak of seeing Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs traumatised from the impact of fireworks. Whilst our dogs are highly trained to cope with many situations, if a dog has an experience that goes beyond a normal level of stress, such as a firework exploding close to them, this can overly sensitise the dog, similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in humans.
Our trainers will work very closely with the dog and owner to reverse the effects, and whilst most dogs recover, some overreact to unexpected noise, which manifests as a fear reaction. In that situation, the dog must be retired. That has devastating consequences for their owner whose independence and mobility, which they previously enjoyed, is hugely curtailed or completely taken away. They face a lengthy wait to be matched with another suitable dog.”

Dr Cyril Sullivan from the ISPCA added, “The ISPCA would like to remind anyone considering the purchase or use of illegal fireworks, to consider the fear and distress it can have on all animals. We are asking the public to take extra measures this Halloween to keep their pets indoors, but to also consider the safety of not only domestic pets, but livestock and wildlife too.
By working together, we are ensuring that people and animals in our communities are safe and are unharmed this Halloween. Please report any illegal use or sale of fireworks to your local Garda Station to support this year’s National Fireworks Awareness Campaign”
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On the dangers facing emergency services, Chief Fire Officer, Dennis Keeley from the Dublin Fire Brigade added, “The Chief Fire Officer for the Dublin City & County Councils, Dennis Keeley spoke about the dangers of using fireworks, the injuries that fireworks can cause to people and fire fighters and urged everyone to think before they act and what the unintended consequences of their actions might be.”

Speaking at the launch of this campaign, Chief Superintendent Mr Padraic Jones, Garda National Community Engagement Bureau said; “To complement the launch of the 2023 Department of Justice Awareness campaign against the misuse of fireworks, An Garda Síochána will also launch Operation Tombola, our annual strategy to combat the importation, sale and use of fireworks on 1st October 2023. This operation seeks to create an awareness of the legislation which prevents the possession of unlicensed fireworks, but moreover to increase understanding of the harm that can arise from their use. An Garda Síochána will work with our partners and stakeholders to implement a strategy as we approach Halloween to keep people safe from the dangers of fireworks.“

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Security & Protection Review Announced For Oireachtas Members & Staff Working On Oireachtas Campus.

Security & Protection Review Announced For Oireachtas Members & Staff Working On Oireachtas Campus

The Garda Commissioner is to undertake a new security and protection review of TDs, senators, their staff and people working on the Oireachtas campus.

The chairs of the respective parliamentary parties and parliamentary groupings in the Oireachtas, and representatives of the staff and media working in Leinster House, will be asked to contribute to the review and will be met with, as part of this process.

This will allow those working in the Oireachtas to give their views on general security and protection, including their work in their constituencies, as well as on the security approach to parliamentary set days, such as Budget Day and the first sitting of Dáil terms.

This review will be concluded by the end of October and full details will be provided to the Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee TD .

Officials have been asked to examine whether existing legislation is sufficient to deal with intimidation centred on our democratic institutions, including consultation with the Attorney General on this matter.

The Commissioner’s review will also feed into other work being carried out under the auspices of the Oireachtas and elsewhere, such as:-

  • The Task Force on Safe Participation in Political Life.
  • A review of security announced this week by the Ceann Comhairle.
  • The potential impact of the new security allowance for members of the Oireachtas, which was introduced earlier this year.

An Garda Síochána constantly monitors the security of elected representatives.

A recent assessment of security for office holders has led to increased protection over recent years and each Garda Division has a Crime Prevention Officer who is qualified and tasked to liaise with and provide advice to elected representatives.

Serious justifiable concerns have arisen in light of the recent incidents involving protests.

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New Bill To Establish A Domestic, Sexual & Gender-Based Violence Agency.

  • New agency to drive and co-ordinate the Government’s response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, including refuge delivery
  • Position of CEO of new agency to be advertised within weeks
  • DSGBV Agency Bill to be taken in the Dáil by the end of the month
  • Agency to be up and running by January 2024

Government approval has been secured to publish a Bill to create a statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and support victims and survivors.

Government approval of the new Bill should see the new agency set up and running by the end of January 2024, with the position of CEO of the new agency to be advertised by the end of the month. Candidates for the position will have three weeks to submit their application to the Public Appointments Service (PAS) following the opening of the competition.

The Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023 follows a Government decision that an agency should be established under the remit of the Department of Justice to deliver on commitments under Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on DSGBV, with the Bill being introduced in the Dáil by the end of September 2023.

The new agency will bring the dedicated and expert focus that is needed to tackle the serious and complex societal problem of DSGBV. Its main functions as set out in the Bill include:

  • Planning, coordinating and monitoring the development of refuge accommodation.
  • Providing support, including financial assistance, for the delivery of services to victims and persons at risk of DSGBV.
  • Developing standards for funded services, and monitoring compliance.
  • Co-ordinating the delivery of relevant Government strategies and plans.
  • Delivering public campaigns aimed at raising awareness of DSGBV and reducing its prevalence.
  • Carrying out ongoing research to support the development of future policies and programmes.

In carrying out its work, the agency will also be mandated to engage and consult appropriately with the DSGBV sector and other stakeholders.

The Bill has already benefited from constructive engagement with relevant Government Departments and State bodies, in particular with the Department of Children, Equality, Integration and Youth and the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) in the context of the transfer of responsibility for funding of DSGBV services from Tusla to the new agency.

The agency will be led by a chief executive to be recruited by open competition, with strategic guidance and oversight from a non-executive board with expertise in relation to DSGBV, organisational management and governance, and other matters relevant to the functions of the agency.
The chief executive will be responsible to the Dept. of Justice for the performance of the agency.

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Irish Traveller Family Settle High Court Action Against Tipperary Co. Council.

An Irish Traveller family of six, named as Mr John and Mrs Nikita McInerney, together with their four young children, have now settled a High Court action taken against Tipperary County Council, latter who had opposed their claim.

The family had been forced to reside in a single-berth caravan and to sleeping in a motor vehicle, while camping in a variety of locations, including a retail park and by the roadside. The family had stated that they were under constant fear of prosecution and having their vehicle seized by Gardaí, who continuously sought their removal, which resulted in the family seeking orders and declarations from the court.

The family’s legal representatives had argued that the council’s policy was rigid and failed to meet their basic needs. According to them, the council only provided funding that partially covered the cost of hotel or B & B accommodation. Furthermore, they claimed the caravan given to them was totally unsuitable for their family’s needs. The family alleged that Tipperary County Council’s decision had violated constitutional and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the council’s own obligations under the 2014 Irish Human Rights and Equality Act.

After a legal battle, a resolution has now been reached and the council have provided the McInerney family with a four-bedroom house on an emergency basis, which in turn has resulted in the court case being dropped.

The judge has welcomed the settlement and praised the efforts of both parties in resolving their dispute.
This case further highlights the need for government agencies and County Councils to ensure that their policies and actions remain in line with existing human rights and equality legislation.

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Tipperary Farmers Join Protest Outside Fianna Fáil Think-In.

More than 300 farmers are today staging a protest outside the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party think-in in County Tipperary over proposed changes to a nitrates derogation and plans to hold further protests at this week’s Fine Gael meeting in Limerick and at the National Ploughing Championships.

Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) gather to protest at Horse and Jockey Hotel, outside Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Picture: G. Willoughby.

Members of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) have gathered at the Horse and Jockey Hotel, outside Thurles, Co. Tipperary, to call on Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue to oppose an EU Commission decision to introduce a tightening of rules around the spreading of manure from January next.

Laois farmer and IFA Presidential candidate Mr Francie Gorman said the Minister and his Department were forcing farmers to the brink with the new rules, which he claims would force farmers to reduce their herd and acquire land to abide by the proposed increased limits.

“Farmers will not accept anything less that the nitrates decision being reversed and a total review of banding. Both of these moves combined will have a devastating impact on the smaller family farm, especially fresh milk producers,” commented Mr Gorman.

He continued, “As I informed the Minister at yesterday’s International Sheepdog Trials in Blessington, County Wicklow, the IFA has put forward a credible solution that will help Ireland meet its targets under the nitrates directive and avoid the inevitable loss of jobs and income that the new rules will bring about, if introduced in their current form. The situation is being exacerbated by the fact that an early decision on the CAP strategic plan has led to payments not being made on time.”

Mr Gorman said IFA members will step up their protests unless the Government changes its approach. “We will bring our protest with even greater numbers to the Fine Gael think-in on Friday in Limerick, and we will continue our opposition to the proposed rules at the National Ploughing Championships and at Department of Agriculture offices across the country until such time as the Minister starts fighting for our sector and the 170,000 people that it employs,” he concluded.

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