asked the Minister for Justice whether he refused by letter dated the 6th November, 1935, to grant a permit to a citizen to import one copy of a novel the circulation of which had been prohibited in Saorstát Eireann but which was published in full in serial form, subsequent to the prohibition, in a newspaper circulating in Saorstát Eireann; further, whether a permit dated the 5th December, 1935, was issued to another citizen to import six copies of another prohibited novel for free distribution in Saorstát Eireann, and, if so whether he will state the reasons for discrimination in the treatment of the two citizens.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Importation of Prohibited Novels.
By letter dated the 6th November last a permit to import a prohibited publication was refused. No complaint under the Censorship of Publications Act, 1929, has been received in respect of the publication of the book in question in serial form, and I have no information as to whether it has been so published, in full or otherwise. A permit to import six copies of another prohibited publication was issued on the 5th December last.
Such permits are issued only to responsible persons who have good reasons for requiring to have possession of the publications. The application which was refused on the 6th November did not disclose any such reasons. The application for the permit issued on the 5th December was made by the author of the book.