Written Answers Nos. 556-575
556. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the visa application made by a person (details supplied) in respect of their wife and children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15387/25]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the applications referred to were created on 01 March 2025. The applications together with supporting documentation were received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 04 March 2025 where they await examination and processing.My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.
While I acknowledge the personal difficulties an applicant might be experiencing, it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt.
While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/The date published on the website is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may result in the published processing date remaining unchanged. I can assure you that this does not indicate the processing of these applications has halted overall.I am acutely aware that join family applications are very important for the persons impacted. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides.
To provide greater clarity, officials in my Department are currently in the process of updating the Immigration Service website to provide processing times for decisions on visa applications at the Dublin visa office.The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Digital Contact Centre (DCC). They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at:https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
557. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15396/25]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy has filed Judicial Review proceedings in the High Court. As these Judicial Review proceedings remain on-going at present, and the matter is ‘sub judice’, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.
558. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice the number of offenders who served their full sentence in respect of convictions for criminal offences; and the number of offenders who served half of their sentence in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025 where additional sentence has been handed down by the courts. [15436/25]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Prison Service. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
559. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions for dog fouling in each of the four Dublin local authorities in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025. [15437/25]
View answerProsecutions are a matter for the Director of Prosecutions, who is fully independent in her functions. As Minister, I have no role in the operations, functions, governance or oversight of the Office of the DPP and I am unable to provide any information or statistics relating to the Director's work as a result.
Additionally, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
To be of assistance to the Deputy I have referred his question to the Courts Service for reply. They have informed me that there have been no prosecutions in Dublin for the time period requested using the offence codes for the specific offence. However, prosecutors may have used “free text” codes against which the Court Service cannot report.
560. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions for littering in each of the four Dublin local authorities in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025. [15438/25]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Prosecutions, who is fully independent in her functions under Section 2(5) of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended).
As Minister, I have no role in the operations, functions, governance or oversight of the Office of the DPP and I am unable to provide any information or statistics relating to the Director's work as a result.
Additionally, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
To be of assistance to the Deputy I have referred his question to the Courts Service for direct reply.
561. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice the number of scramblers that have been seized in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025. [15439/25]
View answerRoad traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all. Gardaí continue to enforce road traffic legislation and detect dangerous use of scramblers and e-scooters.
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 gives An Garda Síochána the powers to tackle the anti-social use of scramblers and quad bikes, including through powers of seizure. This legislation rests under the Department of Transport.
To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have requested these figures from Garda management. Below are statistics for Section 41 RTA Detention of Scrambler during 2023, 2024 and 2025 until 25 March:
|
Vehicle Type |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Scrambler |
67 |
50 |
< 10 |
As ‘Scrambler’ and ‘E-scooter’ were only introduced as distinct vehicle types in PULSE in early 2023, scrambler seizure counts for any prior period are not available.
562. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions for dangerous, reckless and careless driving on scrambler bikes in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025. [15440/25]
View answer563. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions for scrambler bike users carrying no insurance in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025. [15441/25]
View answer564. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions for scrambler bike users wearing no helmet in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025. [15442/25]
View answer565. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions for scrambler bike users driving against the flow of traffic in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025. [15443/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 562, 563, 564 and 565 together.
Prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is fully independent in her functions.
As Minister, I have no role in the operations, functions, governance or oversight of the Office of the DPP and I am unable to provide any information or statistics relating to the Director's work as a result.
Additionally, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
To be of assistance to the Deputy I have sought this information from the Courts Service. They have informed me that it has not been possible to provide the data sought by the Deputy in the specific format requested. The Deputy has requested data in respect of scrambler bikes with no insurance, Dangerous Driving, Careless Driving & not wearing a helmet. It is the same offence code that would be used for any motor vehicle, so it is not possible to differentiate the different types of vehicles.
566. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if he will publish the national implementation plan for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which he brought to Cabinet on 25 March 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15465/25]
View answerThe EU Asylum and Migration Pact will significantly reform the approach to migration and asylum both in Ireland and across the EU by providing a faster, more streamlined, and fairer system for addressing the challenges faced in this area.
The Pact will harmonise asylum procedures and processes across the EU and comes into effect in June 2026. Ireland, along with all the other Member States, has until then to implement the necessary changes to our systems and our legislation.
A dedicated team and a Pact Implementation Programme Board was established by my Department to coordinate this multi-faceted national programme.
Ireland’s national implementation plan (NIP) sets out the State’s proposed approach to meeting the requirements set out in the Migration Pact. The NIP was agreed by Government on March 25th and has been submitted to the European Commission. My Department has published a brief on Ireland’s National Implementation Plan for the Pact which can be viewed here gov.ie - Brief on Ireland’s National Implementation Plan for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.
The plan has been submitted to the Commission for its consideration and will be published in due course, following that initial consideration.
567. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Justice the number of members on the Censorship of Publications Board in each of the years from 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and the cost of the board per annum in those years. [15479/25]
View answerMy Department’s records indicate that the Censorship of Publications Board held one meeting in January 2020, which was attended by all 4 members, and has not met since. Members did not receive any fees for their attendance, but were entitled to claim travel and subsistence payments, with a total of €179.09 paid. Administratively, secretariat support for the Censorship of Publications Board was provided through the Irish Film Classification Office with no additional costs arising beyond those already incurred by the Office.
The terms of appointment of the last members of the Censorship of Publications Board lapsed on 9 November, 2021. As a result, the Board has had no members in the years between 2022 and 2025 inclusive.
The process of appointing new members to that Board was put on hold pending the outcome of an examination by my Department on the need to retain censorship provisions in respect of printed publications. This examination underpinned the Government Decision of 21 November, 2023 to proceed with repeal of the Censorship of Publication Acts, 1929 to 1967, the Acts which provided the statutory basis for the Censorship of Publications Board.
568. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if his Department is involved in the interdepartmental working group tasked with assessing legislative impacts of non-binary gender marker inclusion on official documents; what are the key legal considerations for including non-binary gender markers on legal documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15552/25]
View answerThe Gender Recognition Act comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.
I am advised by the Department of Social Protection that the report of the Review Group for the Gender Recognition Act under section 7 of the Act included, at recommendation 2A, that legal recognition should be made available to people who are non-binary. This recommendation will, in part, be informed by an impact assessment on existing legislation that would arise by providing for a new, non-binary, category of gender.
I am further advised by the Department of Social Protection that the setting up of an interdepartmental working group to facilitate this impact assessment will include all Government departments.
569. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Justice for a breakdown for 2024 of the number of Gardaí, by rank, for each functional area, by county, in the Clare/Tipperary division, in tabular form. [15611/25]
View answerI am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy.
The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 saw unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
I regularly engage with the Garda Commissioner to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need. I am informed that when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’.
I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include:
• Local and national crime trends and workloads;
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies;
• Minimum establishment statistics;
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size;
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.
In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Rank for each functional area and county, including a breakdown for 2024 of the number of Gardaí by rank for each functional area in the Clare/Tipperary division, is publicly available and can be found at the following link:www.gov.ie/en/publication/66833-garda-workforce/ I can also advise the Deputy that I have received the most recent figures for 2024 from An Garda Síochána in the Clare/ Tipperary division, which have been published on the website.
|
Division |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
Clare/Tipperary |
516 |
118 |
17 |
6 |
2 |
659 |
In the interest of transparency, figures related to the Garda workforce are published on my Department's website. This information is supplied by An Garda Síochána, is operational and subject to change. These figures are regularly updated by my Department, upon receipt of the information from the Garda authorities.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
570. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Justice to confirm when part 3 of the Policing Security and Community Safety Act 2024 will commence in order to allow community safety partnership committees to form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15612/25]
View answerA key principle of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is that community safety requires multi-agency cooperation working in partnership with An Garda Síochána and crucially with communities themselves. The Commission's report recommended the establishment of national and local structures to bring together Departments and State agencies involved in harm prevention to promote community safety.
The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 provides for the establishment of this national infrastructure, central to which are Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) which will operate at each local authority level.
It is my intention to commence the Act in full, with effect from 2 April. Once the Act is commenced, I intended to make regulations under section 114 of the Act, providing for the establishment and operation of the Partnerships, as soon as possible.
571. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the progress on the evaluation of the drug treatment court, as identified as a strategic priority under the National Drugs Strategy Strategic Action Plan for 2023-2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15654/25]
View answerThis Government is fully committed to reducing the harms caused to families and communities by illicit drug use. Three priority actions in this area are tackling organised crime, ensuring that we minimise the harms caused to those with addiction issues, and diverting people from involvement in crime and illicit drug related activity.
The Dublin Drug Treatment Court (Dublin DTC) is a supervised treatment, education, and rehabilitation programme, which provides an alternative to custodial sentences for persons found guilty of certain drug-related offences.
Established in 2001 on a pilot basis, it operates by way of a multi-disciplinary team made up of staff from the Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service, the City of Dublin Educational Training Board along with the Courts Service and the Judiciary.
The Strategic Action Plan 2023-2024 has identified six strategic priorities to drive progress under the National Drugs Strategy: Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery (2017-2025), led by the Department of Health.
Strategic Implementation Groups (SIG) have been established to support the implementation of these priorities and actions. The fifth priority group, known as SIG 5, is to reinforce the health-led, rather than criminal justice-led, approach to people who use drugs and who commit drug-related crimes.
Action 5.3 of SIG 5 is to evaluate the Dublin Drug Treatment Court and recommend the future direction of Drug Treatment Courts nationwide. This action is being led by my Department, in consultation with the Department of Health.
My Department has identified a service provider to carry out the evaluation, and is engaging with stakeholders, including the Courts Service and the Department of Health, so that the evaluation can proceed as soon as possible.
572. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Justice the work of his Department and that of the Prison Service to develop enhanced prison-based addiction treatment services to support those with addictions and dual diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15656/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits us to establishing high-dependency units within the Irish Prison Service to address severe mental health and addiction challenges and to hiring more therapeutic and medical staff, including psychiatric and addiction nurses, GP’s and psychologists.
All people committed to prison are subject to a comprehensive medical assessment by the Prison Healthcare Team, which includes a mental health assessment that supports the development of an individual healthcare plan for prisoners while in custody.
The Irish Prison Service multidisciplinary team working directly with the mental health needs of people in custody, includes staff from the Irish Prison Service Primary Healthcare team and Psychological Service, and staff from in-reach mental health services, provided by the HSE’s National Forensic Mental Health Service. The latter provides weekly forensic mental health sessions led by consultant forensic psychiatrists, supported by non-consultant hospital doctors, community psychiatric nurses, and social workers.
Additionally, to support rehabilitation, reduce reoffending and assist with reintegration into society, people in custody have access to a growing range of medical and rehabilitative services. These include methadone substitution treatment, counselling, psychological intervention, peer to peer support programmes, psycho-education and the Treatment and Rehabilitation Programme provided by Merchants Quay Ireland, available in the Medical Unit in Mountjoy Prison.
Treatment provided to people in custody who may be struggling with addiction is in line with the National Drug Strategy, the Irish Prison Service Drugs Strategy 2023-2026, the Irish Prison Service Health Needs Assessment and the High Level Task Force on the mental health and addiction challenges of persons interacting with the criminal justice system.
As the contracted delivery partner, Merchants Quay Ireland delivers addiction counselling and support within the prison estate. 20 authorised addiction counsellor posts, support individual and group work service provision to prisoners.
The Irish Prison Service also works closely with Alcohol Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous who provide support to people in custody across the prison estate.
The Health Needs Assessment (HNA) for the Irish Prison Service was published in May 2023. This was the first comprehensive health assessment undertaken for the prison service. The HNA 1st Annual Progress Report was published in October 2024 and outlines the progress in implementing recommendations from May 2023 to June 2024.
On foot of the recommendations cited in the HNA, the Irish Prison Service has recruited a Clinical Lead for Mental Health and Addiction. This appointment is especially important as the clinical lead is dedicated to developing mental health and addiction care and services within prisons and liaising with community services to ensure continuity of care.
The High Level Task Force (HLTF) on Mental Health and Addiction published their final report in September 2022. The report identified where further improvements can be implemented in order to enhance the treatment available to those with mental health and addiction difficulties within the criminal justice system. It outlined 61 recommendations to be implemented from 2022 to 2027.
The IPS is consulting with HSE Dual Diagnosis Leads in relation to piloting a dual diagnosis service in Cork Prison, in accordance with HLTF recommendations. The service would provide for two referral pathways including mental health and social inclusion.
The First Annual Progress Report of the HLTF was published in February 2024 covering September 2022–September 2023. Work remains ongoing to monitor and further progress the recommendations of the HLTF.
573. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Justice for a list of movies, television shows and video games currently banned by the Irish Film Classification Office; when such items were last reviewed; the reason for their prohibition; the next scheduled review or expiration of their ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15658/25]
View answerUnder Irish law, decisions regarding classification of Films, Videos and DVDs are determined by The Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO). IFCO is a statutory body which is independent in the exercise of its official functions.
IFCO was established under the Censorship of Films Act 1923, with its role expanded under the Video Recordings Act 1989, to include classification of video and DVD. IFCO is responsible for examining and certifying all cinema films and videos/DVDs legally distributed in Ireland. The legislation provides that no picture shall be exhibited in public, unless the Director of Film Classification has certified that it is suitable and a certificate is displayed to that effect.
Often there is dialogue and scenes within films and videos that some viewers may find distasteful and offensive, but as long as they are not obscene or indecent in the opinion of the Director of IFCO, an appropriate certificate will be granted. IFCO has the responsibility to uphold freedom of expression, but this should not be construed as IFCO, or my Department, condoning or supporting violence within film and videos.
Regarding the last time the list of banned films was reviewed, I am advised that it is a matter for the distributor who holds the rights to submit a film, in order to have the current classification status reviewed. In 2024, the classification rating for 3 films was reviewed. In two instances, the classification was revised from 18 to 15A. In one instance, there was no change, as the 18 certificate was deemed appropriate.
Classifications awarded by IFCO are informed by guidelines that can be viewed on IFCO’s website, www.ifco.ie . In order to keep these guidelines relevant to consumers, IFCO engages periodically with focus groups comprised of parents and in the case of the most recent research, teenagers, to examine views on IFCO’s guidelines and to ensure that they reflect the expectations of today’s audience.
Under the Video Recordings Act 1989, video games are exempt from classification unless they are deemed prohibitable under section 3 (1) of the Act. Ireland, along with 15 other European countries, is a member of the Pan European Game Information organisation (PEGI), which produces age ratings for video games. Ratings and classifications of video games in Ireland are applied through the PEGI age-rating scheme. Only games awarded a PEGI 18 certificate are reviewed.
Coimisiún na Meán has responsibility for broadcast media, including television. This agency falls under the remit of the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and as such the Deputy may wish to redirect that element of his question to that Department.
In relation to the Deputy's request for a list of films currently banned in Ireland, IFCO have provided my Department with the list outlined below.
|
List of Films Banned From 1973 to Date |
|
1973 Censored Director |
|
The Baby Maker 03/01/73 James Bridges |
|
It’s a 2’6” Above Ground World 09/02/73 Ralph Thomas |
|
To Find A Man 19/02/73 Buzz Kulik |
|
Swedish Fanny Hill 08/03/73 Mac Ahalberg |
|
Anatomy of a Pin-Up 23/03/73 David Cohen |
|
Sex Artist 04/05/73 Not listed |
|
Au Pair Girls 08/05/73 Val Guest |
|
Nine Ages of Nakedness 08/05/73 George Harrison Marks |
|
Sex Service 15/05/73 Elio Ballett |
|
Some of My Best Friends Are 13/06/73 Not listed |
|
Three Dimensions of Gretta 22/08/73 Pete Walker |
|
Clinic Xclusive 27/08/73 Don Chaffey |
|
Harrad Experiment 17/09/73 Ted Post |
|
Story of Nana 31/10/73 Mac Ahalberg |
|
Suburban Wives 26/11/73 Derek Ford |
|
Friends of Eddie Boyle 20/12/73 Peter Yates |
|
1974 |
|
Honey Bun 17/01/74 Alfred Voher |
|
The Reluctant Virgin 30/01/74 Norman Schwartz |
|
Erotic Witchcraft 18/04/74 Bebi Fontana |
|
Love Pill 14/05/74 Kenneth Turner |
|
To Kill a Rover 15/05/74 Wang Ping |
|
Mafia Girls 29/05/74 Ed Ross |
|
Dance of Ecstasy 20/06/74 Brandon Chase |
|
Sex is Beautiful 24/06/74 Alain Lavalle |
|
Tis Pity She’s a Whore 23/07/74 Givseppe Patroni Griffi |
|
Turkish Delight 24/07/74 Paul Verhoeven |
|
Con Man and Kung Fu Kid 13/08/74 Wu Ma |
|
As the Naked Wind from the Sea 11/09/74 Gunnar Hogland |
|
Super Chick 19/09/74 Ed Forsyth |
|
Student Nurses 08/10/74 Stephanie Rothman |
|
Virgin Witch 08/10/74 Ray Austin |
|
Cool it Carol 30/10/74 Pete Walker |
|
So much Naked Tenderness 30/10/74 Gunther Hendez |
|
Thriller 25/11/74 Alex Fridolinski |
|
Percy’s Progress 17/12/74 Ralph Thomas |
|
1975 |
|
The Seduction of Inga 02/01/75 Joseph W. Sarno |
|
Heavy Traffic 29/01/75 Ralph Bakshi |
|
Loves Of A French Pussycat 30/01/75 Hans Billian |
|
Bang Bang Gang or Gun Girls 04/02/75 Van Guylder |
|
Naked Countess 06/02/75 Not listed |
|
Kung Fu Girl (None But The Brave) 18/02/75 Lo Wei |
|
When Tae Kwon Do Strikes 18/02/75 Huane Feng |
|
Monk 25/02/75 Ada Kyrou |
|
Deadly Weapons 04/03/75 Doris Wishman |
|
Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat 18/03/75 Robert Taylor |
|
Groove Tube 24/03/75 Ken Shapiro |
|
Sex after Six 25/03/75 Hubert Frank |
|
Cold Blooded Beast 24/04/75 Fernando Di Leo |
|
Glory Stompers 29/04/75 Anthony M. Lansa |
|
Extreme Close-Up 07/05/75 Jeannot Szware |
|
The Unsatisfied 23/05/75 Jean-Marie Pallardy |
|
Sex is for Pleasure 26/05/75 Not listed |
|
Pieces of Dreams 22/07/75 Daniel Haller |
|
Without a Stitch 24/07/75 Annelise Meineche |
|
Act of Vengeance (The Violator) 24/07/75 Robert Kelljan |
|
Danish Bed & Board 25/07/75 John Hilbard |
|
Servicer 25/08/75 Leon Capatonos |
|
The Violator (Act of Vengeance)(Rape Squad) 28/08/75 Robert Kelljan |
|
Games that Lovers Play 10/09/75 Malcolm Leigh |
|
It's Alive 26/09/75 Larry Cohen |
|
Guess Who’s Sleeping with Us Tonight 01/10/75 Alex Neve |
|
Petersen 07/10/75 Tim Burstall |
|
World without Shame 29/10/75 Donovan Winter |
|
Don't Deliver Us From Evil 19/11/75 Claude Maurice Muller |
|
The Amorous Milkman 30/12/75 Derren Nesbitt |
|
1976 |
|
All about Women 05/01/76 Claude Pierson |
|
Bed Partners 28/01/76 Not listed |
|
Black Decameron 23/02/76 Not listed |
|
Nudes In the Sun 02/03/76 Werner Kunz |
|
Arabian Nights 04/03/76 Pier Paolo Pasolini |
|
Once is not Enough 23/03/76 Guy Green |
|
Bed of a Thousand Pleasures 25/03/76 Anthony M. Dawson |
|
Keep it up Downstairs 05/05/76 Robert Young |
|
Sins Within The Family 11/08/76 Bruno Gaburro |
|
Intimacy 09/09/76 Marcio Vicaro |
|
Clockwork Banana 10/09/76 Jean F. Dany |
|
Life Size 20/09/76 Luis Berlanga |
|
Bummer 06/10/76 William Allen Castleman |
|
Glastonbury Fayre 11/10/76 Not listed |
|
Undergraduate Girls 13/10/76 Michele Tartanini |
|
Linda Lovelace for President 18/10/76 Claudio Guzmani |
|
It could Happen to You 21/10/76 Stanley Long |
|
Not Tonight Darling 16/11/76 Anthony Sloman |
|
1977 |
|
I Will If You Will 11/01/77 Nello Rossatti |
|
Come Play with Me 01/03/77 George Harrison Marks |
|
Super Dragon 25/04/77 Tommy Loo Chun |
|
Emily 02/05/77 Henry Herbert |
|
Emmanuelle 2 11/05/77 Francis Giacobetti |
|
Young Lady Chatterley 23/05/77 Alan Roberts |
|
I am Sexy 25/05/77 Francis Leroi |
|
The Perfect Arrangement 24/08/77 Ted Leversuch |
|
Alvin Purple 25/10/77 Tim Burstall |
|
Rosemary’s Baby 02/11/77 Roman Polanski |
|
First Time with Feeling 21/11/77 Jacques Baratier |
|
Next Stop - Greenwich Village 08/12/77 Paul Mazursky |
|
1978 |
|
Naughty Nurses 21/02/78 Don Edmonds |
|
Looking For Mr. Goodbar 08/03/78 Richard Brooks |
|
Escort Girls 14/03/78 Donovan Winter |
|
Black Emmanuelle, White Emmanuelle 04/04/78 Brunello Rondi |
|
The Hills have Eyes 05/04/78 Wes Craven |
|
Teenage Hitchhikers 17/04/78 Gerri Sedley |
|
Black Emmanuelle 2 (The New Black Emmanuelle) 24/04/78 Albert Thomas |
|
Take an Easy Ride 08/05/78 Not listed |
|
Goodbye Emmanuelle 18/05/78 Francois Lettelier |
|
Inhibition 24/05/78 Paul Price |
|
Confessions of a Male Escort 09/06/78 Not listed |
|
The Erotic Adventures of Pinnocchio 20/07/78 Corey Alan |
|
Lust Seekers 13/09/78 Russ Meyer |
|
The Rise & Rise Of Casanova 14/09/78 Francois Legrand |
|
Seven Women for Satan 10/11/78 Armand Tabiteau |
|
What’s Up Super Doc 20/12/78 Derek Ford |
|
1979 |
|
The Visitor 10/01/79 Not listed |
|
Lennie 23/01/79 Bob Fosse |
|
Bilities 28/02/79 David Hamilton |
|
Red 02/04/79 Not listed |
|
In Praise of Older Women 06/04/79 George Kaczenoen |
|
Emmanuel and the White Slave Trade 07/05/79 Joe D’Amato |
|
Queen of Sex 07/05/79 Albert Moore |
|
Hardcore Life 25/06/79 Paul Schrader |
|
Can I Come Too? 12/11/79 Not listed |
|
The Groove Tube 18/12/79 Not listed |
|
1980 |
|
Death Game 18/01/80 Not listed |
|
La Luna 24/03/80 Bernardo Bertocucci |
|
Night Games 21/04/80 Roger Vadim |
|
Sex with the Stars 27/06/80 Not listed |
|
The Great British Striptease 14/08/80 Not listed |
|
Jungle Burger 19/08/80 Not listed |
|
I’m Not Feeling Myself To-Night 21/08/80 Joseph McGrath |
|
Don't Answer The Phone 02/12/80 Robert Hammer |
|
1981 |
|
Caligulas Hot Nights 19/02/81 Roberto Monterro |
|
Confessions of a Naked Virgin 24/03/81 Eric Hofbauer |
|
Emmanuelle and The Cannibals 16/04/81 Bruno Corbucci |
|
Caligula 03/11/81 Bob Guccione |
|
1983 |
|
Flesh Gordon 09/09/83 William Osco-Homand Zeieham |
|
1984 |
|
Emmanuelle 4 14/06/84 Not listed |
|
The Key 16/07/84 Tinto Brass |
|
Bolero 14/12/84 John Derek |
|
1987 |
|
Working Girls 12/08/87 Lizzie Borden |
|
1991 |
|
Whore 09/08/91 Ken Russell |
|
|
|
1993 |
|
The Bad Lieutenant 29/01/93 Abel Ferrara |
|
1994 |
|
U.F.O. - The Movie 07/02/94 Tony Dow |
|
Lake Consequence 13/05/94 Rafael Eisenman |
|
1997 |
|
Preaching To The Perverted 28/10/97 Stuart Urban |
574. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Justice for a list of books and periodicals currently banned by the Censorship of Publications Board; when such items were last reviewed; the reason for their prohibition and the next scheduled review or expiration of their ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15659/25]
View answerThe Censorship of Publications Act, 1946, provides for a Register of Prohibited Publications. The Register in respect of books is in two parts, and contains details of books which have been prohibited and when the notice was originally published in Iris Oifigiúil, which indicates when the prohibition came into effect.
Part 1 contains particulars of books prohibited on the ground that they were indecent or obscene, as per section 7(a) of the 1946 Act. The prohibition order in respect of any book named in Part 1 ceases to have effect on the 31st December following the twelfth anniversary of the date it was published in Iris Oifigiúil (if it is not revoked by the Censorship of Publications Appeal Board before that).
Part 2 of the Register contains particulars of books prohibited on the ground(s) that they were indecent or obscene and/or that they advocate the procurement of abortion or miscarriage or the use of any method, treatment or appliance for the purpose of such procurement, as per section 7(b) of the 1946 Act.
Part 3 of the Register contains a list of prohibited periodical publications. There are currently 264 publications on this list.
The current Register dates from 31 December 2016, and I will arrange for a copy to be sent directly to the Deputy.
On 21 November 2023, the Government approved the repeal of the Censorship of Publications Acts, following a review undertaken by my Department in my Department on the continuing need to have censorship provisions for printed publications. Preparatory work on the amending legislation has been undertaken and it is planned that this will proceed during the term of the current Government.
When the legislation is enacted, the Register of Prohibited Publications will be formally stood down.
The Register of Prohibited publications was last updated in 2016. The following book was on Part 1 of the Register:
|
Name of Book |
Editions |
Name of Author |
Name of Publisher |
Iris Oifigiuil |
|
Raped Little Runaway, The |
All |
Jean Martin |
STAR Distributors Ltd.Canal St. Station,New York,New York. |
11 March, 2016 |
It is important to note it would continue to be a criminal offence to possess or distribute the above book, even after repeal of the Censorship Acts, on the grounds that it contains child abuse material.
The following books were included in Part 2 of the Register:
|
Name of Book |
Editions |
Name of Author |
Name of Publisher |
Iris Oifigiuil |
|
Abortion Internationally |
All |
- |
National Abortion Campaign, 30 Camden Road, London NW1 |
25 February, 1983 |
|
Abortion: Our Struggle for Control |
All |
- |
The National Abortion Campaign, 374 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1 |
30 September, 1983 |
|
Abortion: Right or Wrong? |
All |
Dorothy Thurtle |
T. Werner Laurie Limited, London |
13 February, 1942 |
|
Book of Love |
All |
Dr. David Delvin |
The New English Library Limited, Barnard’s Inn, Holborn, London EC1N 2JR. |
16 December, 1983 |
|
Complete Guide to Sex, The |
All |
- |
- |
27th July, 1990 |
|
How to drive your man wild in bed |
All |
Graham Masterton |
The paperback Division of W.H. Allen & Co. Plc., 44 Hill Street, London W1X 8LB |
24 December, 1985 |
|
Love Diseases, The |
All |
Paul Redfern |
The Macmillan Press Limited, London and Basingstoke. |
30 September, 1983 |
|
Make it Happy |
All |
Jane Cousins |
Penguin Books Limited, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England. |
21 July, 1982 |
575. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Justice his plans to address crime and ensure safety in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15682/25]
View answerThis Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 saw unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year.
The Garda Commissioner keeps the distribution of resources under continual review and I will be engaging regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.
My priority is to get more Gardaí on our streets through increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible. Garda staff working alongside Garda members carry out vital roles to increase availability of frontline Gardaí. The civilianisation process has allowed 900 Gardaí to be freed up for frontline policing duties.
On 7 March 2025, 149 probationer Gardaí attested from the Garda College in Templemore. Of these, 98 were assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
In February, the latest recruitment competition took place. It attracted just over 6,700 applicants. This builds on the 5,000 applications which were received in 2023 and the almost 6,400 last year. There will also be a further recruitment campaign later this year. The overall Garda workforce, which includes Gardaí, civilian staff and Reserves is close to the highest that it’s ever been at almost 18,000.
The Government is committed to implementing the Dublin City Taskforce Report which takes a holistic approach of the measures required to rejuvenate Dublin city and ensure our citizens are safe.
I met senior Garda Management including the Garda Commissioner in February and we discussed how to increase the visibility and effectiveness of policing in Dublin city.
There are a number of Garda Operations taking place in Dublin to provide a high-visibility policing presence and deter anti-social behaviour. These include:
• Operation Citizen which aims to deliver an enhanced high-visibility policing presence in Dublin city centre on a daily basis;
• Operation Saul which aims to provide a policing response to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour, public order and criminal activity for commuters using public transport in Dublin;
• Operation Táirge targeting Retail Theft;
• Operation Tara tackling street-level drug dealing.
Furthermore, residents of Dublin 8 and the country in general, will benefit from An Garda Síochána investing in new equipment and technologies, including body-worn cameras, automatic number plate recognition systems, and facial recognition technology for serious crimes and missing persons cases.
On a strategic level the Programme for Government sets out ambitious commitments to enhance community safety and build a safer, fairer and more inclusive society.The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which will come into force this week, provides for the establishment of this national infrastructure, central to which are Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) which will operate at each local authority level. They will build upon the good work of the Joint Policing Committees (JPCs), supplementing this by bringing together a broader range of relevant stakeholders including local councillors, An Garda Síochána, local residents, community representatives, business and education representatives, and a range of statutory agencies including the HSE, Tusla and each local authority.The objective is to bring the relevant bodies, including the Gardaí, together with communities in a collaborative manner, by focusing on the concerns identified and prioritised by local people.
Gardaí work tirelessly to keep our city safe and I and my Department will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities in Dublin 8 and around Ireland are safe and feel safe.
