Can the Minister say if the application must be initiated by the renter or the person who is anxious to have the case reconsidered? May the censor himself initiate it?
Censorship of Films (Amendment) Bill, 1970: Committee and Final Stages.
Section 1 agreed to.
SECTION 2.
Question proposed: "That section 2 stand part of the Bill".
The renter will have the opportunity of applying in the circumstances set out in the section. In practice, this will mean that any film which was rejected or passed with cuts before January, 1965, will be eligible for resubmission to the official censor and may qualify for either a full or limited certificate which was not available before the date mentioned. Secondly, in any other case a film rejected or given a limited certificate will be eligible for resubmission to the official censor after an interval of seven years. In all cases, the onus is on the renter to re-apply. In effect, it is a new application.
Will cuts that have already been made be retained? In other words, the film as cut would be shown?
The film as originally passed can be shown. The Deputy will appreciate that the cuts may already have been made in a film that may have been dealt with by the censor before the practice of issuing a limited certificate was introduced. Perhaps I should make it clear that, if a film has already been dealt with and allowed to be shown with cuts, further cuts cannot be made if the renter applies to have it reconsidered. In effect, the position is that the censor cannot reverse his earlier decision or that of his predecessor to the detriment of the renter.
Is it the position that a film that would now qualify for a limited certificate can only be granted such a certificate in this case?
That would not necessarily be so. It would be considered and on re-application the censor could ignore completely the earlier decision. Of course, the renter would have the right to appeal to the Appeal Board on these issues.
In fact, it is treated as a fresh application?
Yes, that is the position.
Question put and agreed to.
Section 3 agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment, received for final consideration and passed.