Licence Laws For Northern Ireland
The Explosives (Fireworks) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002, as amended, came into operation in May 2002 and made it compulsory for anyone wishing to purchase, possess and use fireworks for a garden display to obtain a licence. The fee for a fireworks licence (where the number of spectators is less than 100) is £30. Licence application forms are available from the Northern Ireland Office website at www.nio.gov.uk or Firearms and Explosives Branch on (028) 9052 0592. In order to process applications in time for Halloween, it would be helpful if they were submitted to Firearms and Explosives Branch by 19 October.Completed application forms (together with the fee) should be sent to:
Firearms and Explosives Branch,
Room A4.24,
Castle Buildings,
Stormont Estate,
Belfast,
BT4 3SG
by Friday 19 October 2007 to allow applications to be processed and licences issued in sufficient time for the fireworks to be purchased for Halloween.
Persons who are registered to store fireworks must display their certificate of registration at the point of sale.
Selling fireworks on a street or public place is prohibited. Therefore, selling fireworks at markets and car boot sales, and from vans, including ice-cream vans, is illegal.
The guidance for members of the public on the law on fireworks and the firework safety code can be downloaded from www.nio.gov.uk.
The multi-agency task group set up by the Minister includes NIO Firearms and Explosives Branch (lead), DHSSPS, DENI, PSNI, NIFRS, the Ambulance Service, NIO Community Safety Unit and the Chief Environmental Health Officers' Group. Numbers and information on the form explained.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us and talk to one of our friendly members of staff on: (028) 9443 3657.
