asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the procedure followed by him in relation to the censorship of private letters, posted in Eire for delivery within the State; and the number of warrants at present in operation for this purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Censorship of Letters.
There is no "censorship" of private letters, but in accordance with Section 56 of the Post Office Act, 1908, a letter may be detained and examined under the authority of a warrant issued by the Minister for Justice Such warrants are issued only in cases where the Minister is of opinion that an examination of particular correspondence is likely to assist in the investigation of crime. The number of warrants in force varies from time to time; and I do not consider that it would be in the public interest for me to disclose the number in force at any particular time.
I have asked the Minister if there is a censorship of private letters for delivery within the State. In his reply the Minister has stated, as his colleague the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs stated on 25th October, that there is no censorship. I wish to inform both Ministers that they are misleading the House with such statements.
If the Deputy has a supplementary question, he may put it. It is not a matter of imparting information but of getting it.
Is the Minister aware that I have definite proof that there is a censorship of private letters for delivery within the State? I have also asked if he is aware that there is a list of certain citizens whose correspondence is segregated from the main bulk of correspondence and taken to an office where it is censored. I can give the Minister the address. I can further give him the name of the civil servant who is in charge, if he so desires. In view of the unsatisfactory replies I have received from both Ministers, with your permission, I will raise this matter of great importance on the Adjournment.
Mr. Boland
Is it for the purpose of giving me information we are to have this matter on the Adjournment, or is it to get further information out of me? If the Deputy wants to get further information out of me, I may say that he is not going to get it—not on that question.
Arising out of the Minister's fury, with your permission, Sir, I want to raise this matter on the Adjournment to-day. I gave you notice on 25th October, which I withdrew at your request in favour of Deputy Hughes, who had also had a matter to raise on the Adjournment—a matter which was considered more important than the one I am raising now. Would it be possible for you, if you grant permission, which I am convinced you will, to have here both the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, so that I might enlighten them both?
The Deputy has asked a question of one Minister, and, if the question is allowed, it will be to that Minister only.