CENSORSHIP:A SEXUAL revolution was being promoted to teenagers in Ireland by "the contraception and abortion industries" in 1981, according to a letter to then taoiseach Charles Haughey.
Parent Concern, an organisation set up “to promote the rights of the family”, wrote in February to complain about the type of information “with which our teenagers are being familiarised” in magazines originating in the UK.
Lovingand Photo Lovewere particular sources of concern, and articles from both were photocopied and sent to the taoiseach and to then minister of state at the department of health Tom Nolan.
One short story detailed how the heroine had used the pill and then decided to be fitted with the coil.
Meanwhile, a problem page outlined details of abortion costs.
Concerns were also raised about an article in Oideas, a department of education magazine for teachers, which had promoted sex education in schools.
In response to the letter, and to a previous meeting, Nolan suggested the organisation contact the censorship board and assured it the article on sex education did not reflect department of education policy.
He said he was impressed at the way in which the group had documented its views and “the forthright way in which you put them forward”.
