asked the Minister for Justice how many films (a) have been rejected outright for exhibition in this country and (b) have been censored during the past three years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Censorship of Films.
3.
I take it that the second part of the Question relates to films that were required to be cut as a condition of their being permitted to be exhibited.
The answer, based on that assumption, is in the form of a tabular statement, which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, will be circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the answer:—
|
Year |
Number of films in respect of which certificates were refused |
Number of films required to be cut |
|
1957 |
44 (includes 6 trailers). |
233 (includes 75 trailers). |
|
1958 |
52 (includes 7 trailers). |
240 (includes 81 trailers). |
|
1959 |
54 (includes 5 trailers). |
198 (includes 58 trailers). |
Will the names of the films that were rejected be given in the tabular statement?
I do not think so.
The Minister for Justice should be allowed to answer without being prompted by the Minister for Health. I have every respect for the Minister for Justice and I know he is quite competent, and decent enough, to answer questions.
Order!
Would the Minister answer that question?
It may have been the names of the films that were censored.
Will the names appear in the tabular statement?
They will not.
The Minister for Justice is not giving any details. Surely it is only a matter of a few figures and surely, therefore, he could answer the question I have asked.
Does the Deputy want the details now?
Certainly. The answer should be a simple one.
It is not a very long one. In the year 1957 the number of films in respect of which certificates were refused was 44, which includes six trailers; the number of films required to be cut in the same year was 233, which includes 75 trailers. In 1958, the number of films in respect of which certificates were refused was 52, which includes 7 trailers; the number of films required to be cut was 240, which includes 81 trailers. In 1959, the number of films in respect of which certificates were refused was 54, which includes 5 trailers; and the number of films required to be cut was 198, which includes 58 trailers.