asked the Minister for Justice whether his attention has been drawn to a recent article in a London evening newspaper dealing with the competition between two English Sunday newspapers which was subsequently quoted in another publication and in which it was alleged that a mysterious figure whose name had not been disclosed persuaded the Irish Censorship of Publications Board in secret and without disclosure of specific charges to ban the sale of one of these English newspapers in this country for three months; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Censorship—London Paper's Statement.
There is not the slightest foundation for this innuendo which is characteristic of a method of journalism for which every decent person can have nothing but contempt.
Can the Minister give us the reasons why the Irish Censorship of Publications Board decided that this newspaper should be banned for three months?
That is a separate question.
I have asked for the reasons.
The Deputy has not asked for the reasons in the question.
Can the Minister give the reasons why the Irish Censorship Board has taken this action?
Surely that is a separate question.
May I ask the Minister on whose or on what representations the Irish Censorship of Publications Board has banned this paper for three months?
Mr. Boland
I never ask the board these things at all. The innuendo here is completely wrong.
Did the Minister inquire into the reasons?
Mr. Boland
That is a matter for the board.
It is the Minister's place.
Mr. Boland
It is not. It is a matter for the board. It was the Minister's function at one time but there was an amendment of the Act and there is now an appeal board if the aggrieved parties object.
I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment because these tactics are disgraceful.
Stop reading the English papers and the Deputy will get somewhere.
One must test one paper against the other.
More Fine Gael muck!
You are all very irritable over there. Are you getting bad news from the country?
Why are you picking on Fine Gael all the time?
You have collective responsibility.
The Minister is suffering from collective irritability.
The Minister for Justice knows this is a dirty piece of work.