Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 4

Written Answers. - Censorship of Publications.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

235 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the recourse a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 has regarding explicit sexual material being available at shops at eye-level of young children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13197/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The censorship of publications in this jurisdiction is governed by the following legislation: The Censorship of Publications Acts 1929 to 1967; The Health (Family Planning) Act 1979; The Regulation of Information (Services outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act 1995, and The Censorship of Publications Regulations, 1980. The task of censorship in relation to books and magazines is carried out by the Censorship of Publications Board. There is also an Appeal Board to decide on any appeal against the decision of the Censorship of Publications Board. In accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation, the various boards are independent in the exercise of their statutory duties and I have no function in this regard.

Under the existing legislation it is open to any member of the public to make a complaint to the board, the offices of which are situated at 13 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2. The board examines every book or publication referred to it in respect of which a complaint is made. A copy of the book or a minimum of three recent issues of the periodical publication in question must accompany the complaint. I can further inform the Deputy that it is the policy of the board not to reveal the identity of complainants where a complaint has been made.