asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he will comment on the statement that because of restrictive practices some cinemas in Dublin or elsewhere may have to close because they cannot get the latest films and are forced to show "soft-porn" films, in order to keep the cinemas going.
Written Answers. - Films Supply System.
483.
The Examiner of Restrictive Practices last year carried out an investigation into the supply and distribution of films. Subsequently the Restrictive Practices Commission held a public inquiry into the matter. The commission's report was recently published. The existence of any agreements, arrangements or understandings conferring monopolies on groups of exhibitors was not substantiated. However, there seems to be general agreement that there are serious problems of distribution in the trade.
The commission did not recommend legislation as a basis for reform as they were satisfied that a statutory order would be too rigid and inflexible to be effective in the variety of circumstances involved. They considered that Fair Practice Rules, the making of which is provided for under section 4 of the Restrictive Practices Act, 1972, would be appropriate. Such rules may be made by the commission on the recommendation of the Examiner of Restrictive Practices or at the request of an association representing persons engaged in the supply and distribution of goods or in the provision of services. To date the commission has not received any request for the making of Fair Practice Rules so far as the distribution of cinema films is concerned.