To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many communal and commemorative bonfires are estimated to have been organised in Northern Ireland during July and August in (a) 1995 and (b) 2005. (81669)

The information requested is not held centrally, however, an Interagency Working Group was set up in November 2003 to compile a report on bonfires in Northern Ireland. Information provided by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive indicated that there were 1203 bonfires in 2003 on their property. Information was also received from 23 of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland. They indicated that they were only aware of 431 bonfires in 2003. This figure would include some of the bonfires on Housing Executive property. The Group was only in existence during the time required for completion of the report. There has been no update since then.