asked the Minister for Justice if he is satisfied with the standards employed in film censorship; and, if not, if he will introduce amending legislation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Film Censorship.
121.
The standards by which censorship of films is to be exercised cannot, of their very nature, be reduced to a rigid legal formula in an Act of the Oireachtas but must be arrived at and applied, on the basis of reasonableness and good sense, by the official censor and by an appeal board the members of which constitute a representative cross-section of the community. Both the official censor and the appeal board are, of course, completely independent in the exercise of their functions. I see no necessity to introduce amending legislation in the matter.
Is the Minister aware that certain films are getting through the censorship net which are certainly unfit for viewing by younger people on whom there is practically no restriction in regard to their admission to cinemas? These films can only help to produce moral degradation among younger people.
Several films are passed by the censor or by the Appeal Board on appeal, with a certificate limiting the age under which people can attend. This limitation certificate must be prominently displayed on advertising matter relating to the film. Of course, the cinema concerned has a duty to enforce that limitation with regard to age. We received one or two complaints some time ago—I have not the details now—and I brought the matter to the attention of the censor and the Appeal Board and I think they informed the renters of the necessity of complying with the age restrictions.
Would the Minister not agree that there is no point whatever in advertising that only people over the age of 18 years will be admitted when, in fact, people in their early teens are admitted? Would the Minister do his utmost to ensure that these young people are not admitted to see films that are suited for adult audiences?
If people under the age prescribed are admitted by any cinema the matter should be brought to the attention of the gardaí as the cinema proprietor would be committing an offence by admitting these young people. The gardaí will certainly prosecute where they have evidence.