Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is correct. I was about to say that even the Reform Alliance could band together to work towards or against an appeal with regard to the prohibition of Deputy Shatter's book, depending on whether it is prohibited in the first instance. That would be quite interesting.

The appeal board may affirm, revoke or vary the order so as to exclude a particular edition of the book from the order. Ordinary citizens are not allowed to appeal a ban. Again, the decision-making process is not one that allows for meaningful debate and discussion.

The gardaí may be issued with a search warrant if they suspect that prohibited books or periodicals are being kept anywhere for sale or distribution. If they find prohibited publications, they may remove them. If a person is convicted of possessing prohibited publications, he or she may be liable for a fine of €63.49 or six months' imprisonment. This type of law is out of place in modern Ireland. The idea of spending time in prison for selling books that are easily available elsewhere, even if the law is never enforced, does not belong to a modern democratic society.

The board stands out like a sore thumb in the Government’s much-published pledge to cull quangos. Prior to the 2011 election, Fine Gael's document Reinventing Government promised the abolition of more than 145 State bodies and companies, including the HSE and FÁS. It was also the cornerstone of its general election campaign on cutting waste in the public service. In reality, Fine Gael has completely abandoned its pre-election and election commitments to abolish 145 quangos. Only 49 in total will be abolished under this Government.

According to the public service reform plan published in November 2011, 48 State agencies were to be rationalised by the end of 2012 and 46 were to be reviewed by the end of June 2012. Earlier this month the Minister, Deputy Howlin, reheated the old news about a €20 million saving, about which he had previously spoken in 2012, and outlined the slow progress made on the actual number of agencies involved. This list of agencies was simply a rehash of agencies we had already rationalised or were in the process of rationalising. The Government has attempted to mask its failure to radically overhaul the quango sector by obfuscating on the details. In reality, it has to date reduced the overall number of quangos by 25 in total.

The Government has rowed back on its specific promise to abolish the National Cancer Registry and merge the Irish Aviation Authority and the Commission for Aviation Regulation. If it completes the rationalisations promised since 2012 and further outlined in January 2014, it will abolish a further net number of 24 quangos. By its own account, albeit hidden behind the spin, the Government will complete the abolition of just 49 quangos. This is a far cry from the 145 promised in the photo opportunities of 2010. However, it can improve its numbers by adding the censorship board and the appeals board to its paltry efforts.

The proud literary heritage of this island has often been overshadowed by a dark cloud of censorship. The rich works of renowned authors had fallen foul of the censorship’s board watchful eye. The chill winds of prohibition blew through libraries and bookshops across the State and cooled the enthusiasms of writers on the island. Many years have passed since the censorship board had its day. Irish society has been transformed while technology has pushed back our cultural horizons to fresh frontiers. Now is the time to move on from an obsolete relic whose effectiveness is counterproductive and whose purpose is questionable. I am confident that the Minister will live up to his party’s promise to cull quangos and put the board out of its misery.

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