asked the Minister for Justice if in view of the developments since a reply of 3rd November 1964 it is his intention to provide for a system of limited certificates under the Censorship of Films Acts.
64.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Film Censorship.
63.
asked the Minister for Justice, in view of the fact that in a recent reply he stated that he was satisfied that there should be no change in the present system of film censorship, he will state what reasons have caused him to alter this opinion.
With your permission a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 63 and 64 together.
The grant, in certain circumstances, of limited certificates is provided for by section 7 of the Censorship of Films Act, 1923.
Since my previous reply, I have considered in great detail the arguments for and against the issue of limited certificates and, although I am not yet convinced that the balance of argument is in favour of limited certificates, I am now satisfied that in the conditions of to-day there are strong arguments in favour of such certificates. I am, therefore, keeping an open mind on the subject.
May I emphasise that I am continuing to give this matter my most careful consideration?
65.
asked the Minister for Justice what films, the public showing of which has been prohibited in Ireland, he intends seeing; and what action he proposes to take having seen them.
Having listened to complaints from responsible trade interests who expressed strong disagreement with the standards of censorship of the Film Censor and the Censorship of Films Appeal Board I decided to see for myself particular films which were named to me.
I regard the Minister for Justice as in duty bound to keep himself fully informed on any matter of public concern for which he is answerable to Dáil Éireann.
66.
asked the Minister for Justice what qualifications a person should have for appointment to the Censorship of Films Appeal Board.
The Censorship of Films Act, 1923, does not prescribe any qualifications for membership of the Appeal Board other than that the members should be "fit" persons and should have no commercial interest in any branch of the film trade, whether production or exhibition.
In the light of the Minister's reply, what function does he actually intend to discharge in connection with his declaration of his intention to review films which the Censorship Board has already passed upon?
I merely want to enlighten myself on the whole position for the benefit of this House and the public at large.
Is the Minister going to set himself up as an appeal censor?
I merely want to familiarise myself with the whole procedure in order to be able to make decisions.
As the Minister sets out the qualifications that are required for membership of the Censorship of Films Appeal Board, presumably he intends to leave the matter of appeals to the Board, or does he now intend to set himself up as an Appeal Board from the Censorship Appeal Board, or is he trying to find out are the members of the Censorship Appeal Board acting in accordance with the qualifications he expects them to have?
Under the Censorship of Films Act, 1923 there must be a Film Censor and an Appeal Board here. I have no function in regard to the decisions taken on those particular matters but I have a function to this House and to the public at large to inform myself and this House how this process is being carried out and get all the required information to make a decision in regard to the composition of the Appeal Board and the question of film censorship.
Does the Minister think it within his competence to review by inspection the decisions of the Censorship of Films Appeal Board?
That is a separate question.
The Minister's statement is in regard to Question No. 66— the qualifications necessary for the Censorship of Films Appeals Board. In regard to Question 65, the Minister says he is going to see the films rejected by the Appeals Board. I want to be clear in my mind as to what we intend to do. Are we appointing a Censorship of Films Appeals Board, which the Minister says is the highest authority? If it is, why is the Minister going to see the films they rejected? Does he want to see that they are doing their job?
The term of office of the present Appeals Board expires on 10th January, 1965. I have the job of appointing a new Appeals Board starting early next year. I want to inform myself thoroughly as to the type of work being carried out by the present Board. That will be a factor in my mind when making the appropriate decision as to the composition of the new Board.
You are setting yourself up as an appeal from the Appeals Board. If they do not do what you want them to do, they will be sacked.
Will the Minister bring somebody else with him to look at them.
I am the person responsible to this House. I will go there myself.
A free look.
67.
asked the Minister for Justice (a) the dates on which each member of the Censorship of Films Appeal Board was appointed to act on the Board; and (b) why he is replacing the members of the Appeal Board.
The Censorship of Films Act, 1923 provides for an Appeal Board of nine members. The present Chairman was appointed in 1924. There is a vacancy caused by a death earlier this year and the seven sitting members were appointed, one each, in the years 1941, 1942, 1946, 1953, 1958, 1959 and 1964.
The Board give their services unpaid and I am glad of this opportunity to thank them publicly for their valuable services.
The term of office is for 5 years and the present term expires on 10th January, 1965.
Would I be right in saying that the gratitude of the Minister for their services does not extend to giving them his confidence in the performance of their duties? He is now declaring his intention of checking on how they are doing their duty. If he has taken this decision, where is this operation to end? How often, having appointed an Appeals Board, he is going to check on their activities?
I have clearly indicated that the term of office of the present Board expires very shortly. It will be my decision to constitute the Board to operate from 1965 until 1970. I hope to inform myself as fully as possible before coming to a decision on the composition of that Board.
Newspaper reports have stated that the Board are to be replaced. Could the Minister inform us whether that report is correct?
I intend to reconstitute the Board.
Does that mean replacement?
That is a matter for my decision.
I wish to give you notice, Sir, of my intention to raise the subject matter of Question No. 57 on the Adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.