asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that a film entitled The German Story produced in Soviet-controlled territory has been on view in a Dublin cinema; and that this film is a communistic propaganda film; if he considers it desirable that such films should be allowed on view in this country; and if he will consider taking steps to ensure that there is no recurrence of this type of communistic propaganda in Irish cinemas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - “The German Story”: Exhibition of Film in Dublin.
10.
The Censorship of Films Act, 1923, provides that no picture may be exhibited in public without a certificate from the Film Censor that the whole of such picture is fit for exhibition in public. The Act also provides that the Film Censor shall not refuse to give a certificate unless he is of opinion that the film is unfit for exhibition in public by reason of its being indecent, obscene or blasphemous or subversive of public morality.
I have no authority to intervene in such matters.
Does the Minister consider it undesirable that this type of film should be shown in Ireland and further, if he does consider it undesirable, has he no function whatsoever in the matter to prevent a recurrence of this?
All I can say is that the Film Censor, apparently after examining it, found there was no question of obscenity in it and passed it. He had no option but to do so.
Surely communistic propaganda is out of date?
Does the Minister not accept the fact that this film was a Soviet propaganda film, or communistic, whatever way one likes to express it?
The best censorship of that is the public's censorship. If they do not attend at the box office, it will soon settle that question.
Did the Minister make any inquiries about the film or does he know what it is about?
I have not seen the film but I have made it clear to the Deputy that I cannot intervene in what is properly the Film Censor's duties.
Am I correct in saying that the Film Censor has no duty except where a film offends against public decency and where a film is manifestly a product of the Soviet propaganda machine, even though the Film Censor is well aware of that, he has no power in those circumstances to intervene?
He cannot concern himself with anything other than what is contained in the answer I have given.
Indecency?
Indecency, obscenity and blasphemy.
But where it is manifestly Soviet propaganda he has no function. In those circumstances would the Minister consider whether steps might not be taken to ensure that cinema material emanating manifestly from Soviet propaganda sources would be subject to some control?
That is a separate question.
That is clearly a separate question.
I do not think so. Take the question that is asked here; the Minister purported to say that he would not usurp the functions of the Film Censor. I want to suggest that the Censor has no function in this case, and it is on the question that he has no function it is suggested that the Minister might consider it desirable to intervene in a case where he was satisfied that a film was being generally disseminated without notice to the public that it was Soviet propaganda.
I am satisfied anyway that the Censor examined it very carefully and gave it all the consideration that he deemed necessary.
Does the Minister not realise that the Censor has no power under the Act to deal with the defect that we allege against this film, even if he knew it was pure Soviet propaganda? As the Minister himself says, he has no power. In those circumstances, would the Minister consider that some other powers were required?
What is the Deputy suggesting?
Surely this is developing into an argument and not a question?
No, Sir. I submit I am making no argument. The Minister says he would not arrogate to himself the function of the Censor and I asked him is it not true that the Censor has no function in the situation outlined in the question. The Minister says he agrees with me that the Censor has no function. Then I asked him if, in these special circumstances, seeing the Censor has no power to correct what is wrong, does the Minister for Justice think that the matter at least should be investigated as to whether he should not take powers to indelibly mark as Soviet propaganda films of this kind, if he does not decide to prohibit them altogether?
That would need legislation.
What about it? Is that not what we are here for?
That would raise a separate question.
On a point of order, it is not a separate question.
It is merely asking the Minister's opinion on a point of view. It is clearly putting a point of view to the Minister and asking for his opinion on it.
Look at the last sentence in the question.
I have read it.
On a point of order, the last phrase in my question reads:
and if he will consider taking steps to ensure that there is no recurrence of this type of communistic propaganda in Irish cinemas.
Surely that is asking to introduce, if necessary, new restrictions by legislation.
It is clearly putting a point of view to the Minister and asking him what is his opinion on it. I am passing on to No. 14.
We are entitled to ask the Minister whether he is aware of what is going on and to ask are the Government aware of it. That is the function of Question Time.
I wish to give notice that, with your permission, Sir, I propose to raise the subject matter of this Question on the motion for the adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy later.