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Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin tonight branded as bizarre a ban on a Catholic bookseller from advertising on radio in the run up to Christmas.

Publisher Veritas was barred from promoting religious presents and urging people to buy a gift with meaning under strict rules policed by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland.

The watchdog claimed mentioning Christmas during an on-air advert and reading out the website address could cause offence.

It is the second time in the last year Veritas has fallen foul of the BCI.

Archbishop Martin said the ban was hard to understand and he asked: “Have we really forgotten what Christmas is all  about?

“I sincerely hope there is room in legislation on broadcasting currently before the Oireachtas that will see an end to  bizarre interpretation of rules around religious advertising.”