asked the Minister for Justice if a number of books were banned by him under the Censorship of Publications Act, 1929, as being, in their general tendency, indecent; if he is aware that one of these books was reviewed in the Irish Press about the 13th February, 1934; if this review indicated the publishers and price of this indecent book; if so, whether it is intended under the Censorship of Publications Act to prevent the advertisement in this way of indecent and banned publications.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - The Censorship of Publications Act.
The Deputy appears to be under some misapprehension in this matter. The power vested in the Minister for Justice under the Act is to make an order forbidding the "sale and distribution in Saorstát Eireann" of a named book.
When such an order is made it becomes an offence (amongst other things) to sell such book in Saorstát Eireann or to advertise it for sale. It is not an offence to mention the book or to condemn it.
I have read the book now in question. In addition to being indecent, it is a gross caricature of the conditions in this country during the period 1919-21. This book was recommended by the Literary League of America to readers in that country. It would appear that the Irish Press thereupon published a review of the book for the express purpose of warning American readers that the book was a travesty of the facts. I cannot understand how the Deputy has come to confuse such a publication with the statutory offence of “advertising for sale.”
Does the Minister think that giving the publisher's name and the price does not amount to an advertisement and offer for sale? Will the Minister state if the Irish Press review condemned the book generally, or stated that it had been banned, or that its general tendency was indecent?
It did not state that.
Has the Minister thought of getting a search warrant to search the Irish Press premises to see if there are any more indecent books there? That can be done under the Act.