The legislation dealing with the censorship and prohibition of indecent or obscene pictures, books, magazines and videos is contained in the Censorship of Publications Acts, 1929-1946 and the Video Recordings Acts, 1989 and 1992. The main powers conferred by the legislation on the Garda regarding the search for and seizure of indecent or obscene pictures, books, magazines and videos are as follows:
Censorship of Publications Acts, 1929-1946
(a) Section 17 of the Censorship of Publications Act, 1946 permits the Garda to apply for a search warrant where there is reasonable ground for suspecting that there are kept for sale or distribution, any prohibited books or prohibited periodical publications in any specified building, land, premises or other place. The Garda may search for and seize such items.