Eric J. Byrne
Question:126 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Justice the proposals, if any, she has to amend the provisions under which a prohibition order can be appealed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3637/95]
Written Answers. - Prohibition Order.
I understand the Deputy is referring to prohibition orders under the Censorship of Publications Acts, 1929 to 1967. As the Deputy may be aware, section 8 of the Censorship of Publications Act, 1946 provides several avenues of appeal for the revocation of a prohibition order: an appeal can be made by the author of a banned book; an appeal can be made by the editor of a banned periodical; an appeal can be made by the publisher of the banned book or periodical; an appeal can be made by any five Members of Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann, acting jointly.
Any such appeal is made to the Censorship of Publications Appeal Board who may, as they think proper, affirm or revoke the prohibition order. The board may also vary the order so as to exclude from the application any particular edition of the prohibited book published before, on or after the date of the prohibition order.
I am satisfied that there are sufficient avenues open to enable interested parties to appeal for the revocation of a prohibition order and I have no proposals to make any amendments to this legislation.