Helen McEntee to raise Sally Rooney books decision with UK foreign secretary
Ireland’s foreign affairs minister said she was shocked by the decision affecting Rooney’s books in the UK. Existing shop stock can still be sold, but Faber has stopped supplying new copies.
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said on 15 October that she was shocked by the decision affecting Sally Rooney’s books in the UK and would raise it with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband. Her response follows publisher Faber’s decision to stop supplying Rooney’s books to UK retailers, though shops can continue selling copies they already hold.
McEntee said she could not comment on another country’s laws, but would speak directly to Miliband about the matter, according to RTÉ.
Why Sally Rooney’s books are affected in the UK
Faber confirmed on Wednesday, 14 October, that it would stop supplying Rooney’s books in the UK. The publisher said existing copies held by retailers would not be removed from sale. It also said UK legislation prevented it from passing on UK earnings from her work, according to the BBC, while sales would continue in other territories.
Rooney said she agreed with Faber’s decision and linked it to her public intention to continue supporting Palestine Action. The UK government proscribed the group in 2025; the BBC describes it as a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK. That legal position is central to Faber’s explanation of why it cannot pass on Rooney’s UK earnings.
The effect differs by format and by what a shop already has. The BBC reported that Rooney’s ebook editions had already been removed from sale in the UK, while many shops still had physical copies. Waterstones said Faber had advised that booksellers faced no restriction on keeping their existing copies on shelves. The reports do not establish how many copies remain across UK retailers.
What Helen McEntee said and what happens next
McEntee was responding to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Gibney described Rooney as one of Ireland’s most celebrated authors and said other Irish artists shared her position in support of Palestine Action, RTÉ reported.
The UK Supreme Court is due to hear an appeal over Palestine Action’s proscription on 4 and 5 November, according to RTÉ.
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Sources and context
- McEntee 'shocked' at UK decision on Sally Rooney booksRTÉ
- Sally Rooney books including Normal People and Intermezzo withdrawn from sale in UK over author's Palestine Action supportBBC News
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