Book Offer
This will close in 10 seconds
Questions over Children’s Minister Norma Foley’s knowledge of a controversial book containing graphic sexual content recommended to 15-year-olds were raised in the Dáil this week.
During Questions on Policy or Legislation, Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn challenged the Government over conflicting accounts regarding whether Foley had previously been made aware of the contents of ‘What’s the T?’, a book which was recently recommended to teenagers by State-funded organisation Children’s Books Ireland and promoted in an RTÉ News article.
The book, authored by transgender writer Juno Dawson, contains descriptions of anal sex, references to sex toys including dildos and vibrators, guidance on using lubricant, and instructions relating to cleaning out one’s rectum before sex. Children’s Books Ireland included the book in a Pride-themed reading list which stated it was suitable for readers aged 15 and over.
Raising the matter in the Dáil, O’Flynn referred to comments made by former Fine Gael Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan, who last week publicly claimed that he had personally discussed the book with Foley in late 2023.
I told Foley about explicit book in 2023, says ex-FG minister
“Last week, the Minister for Children, Norma Foley, said that she was not familiar with the sexually explicit book ‘What’s the T?’ when asked whether it was appropriate for a recommendation by the State-funded body and promoted by Raidió Teilifís Éireann to children as young as 15,” O’Flynn said.
“Since then, the former Minister, Charlie Flanagan, has publicly stated that he raised concerns with the Minister, Deputy Foley, in December 2023. He asked her to read that book.”
The Independent Ireland TD questioned which account was correct.
“The question is: which is it?” O’Flynn said.
“Is it the word of the Minister for children currently serving with the Minister for enterprise in Cabinet, or that of the former Minister, Charlie Flanagan, a member of his own party?
“Was the Minister, Deputy Foley, misleading the public with her knowledge of the book, or is the former Minister, Charlie Flanagan, mistaken when he said he raised the matter directly with her in December 2023?
“Is the Government satisfied with the standard of transparency and candour expected of a Minister in this particular case?”
Responding on behalf of the Government, Enterprise Minister Peter Burke declined to comment on the dispute.
“I thank the Deputy,” Burke said.
“I do not propose to engage in ‘He said, she said’ on the floor of the Dáil.”
After O’Flynn interjected that the issue was “important” and concerned “transparency”, Burke said he was not familiar with the details of the matter.
“I am not aware of the debate myself in connection with…” Burke said.
“I am not aware of the debate. I am not a witness to have heard what was said where and when between the two individuals the Deputy referred to.”
“I cannot be because I was not there. He is asking me an absolutely impossible question.”
O’Flynn then asked whether Burke would question Foley about the matter. No reply was recorded.
As reported by Gript last week, Flanagan claimed that he had personally raised concerns about several controversial books with Foley during a conversation in December 2023, when she was serving as Education Minister.
“Norma Foley can’t say she doesn’t know about fisting and rimming and more in school books,” Flanagan told Gript.
“She does, because I told her personally.”
Flanagan said he had encouraged Foley to read the books herself.
“She laughed in my face,” he said.
“I asked her to get the books over Christmas, read them, and come back and tell me she’s OK with content. After a period of about 6 weeks I met her again and asked her had she seen the books and did she approve. She laughed loudly and ran off.”
Asked specifically whether one of the books discussed was ‘What’s the T?’, Flanagan said it was.
The claims emerged after Foley was questioned by Gript at a press conference last week about whether it was appropriate for a book containing graphic sexual content to be recommended to minors as young as 15.
At the time, Foley said she was unfamiliar with the book and repeatedly stated that parents should have input into the material their children consume.
The controversy has also focused attention on Children’s Books Ireland, which receives public funding through the Arts Council. The organisation included ‘What’s the T?’ in its 2026 Pride reading guide for teenagers.
RTÉ subsequently removed a link to the reading list from an online news article, citing what it described as “age appropriateness” matters.
RTÉ remove Pride book link over “age appropriateness” concerns
Gript also reported last week that a teacher had written to Foley in 2023 raising concerns about the contents of the same book, with the correspondence reportedly including images of pages that the sender described as “totally unsuitable for children”.
A Department spokesperson later reiterated Foley’s position that she had no prior knowledge of the book.
This will close in 10 seconds