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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Nov 1989

Vol. 393 No. 9

Video Recordings Bill, 1987: Fifth Stage.

Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."

Ní mór dom, ar an Chéim dheiridh den Bhille seo, buíochas a ghabháil leis na Teachtaí a chabhraigh leis an díospóireacht. De bharr an chomhoibrithe a bhí le feiceáil anseo idir an Rialtas agus na Teachtaí ar an dtaobh eile den Teach, tá Bille maith á ghlacadh againn. Ní raibh comhaontas ar gach ghné den Bhille ach, ón méid chomhaontais a bhí ann, ceapaim go bhfuil reachtaíocht an-sásúil againn anois.

I thank all those Members who contributed to the debate on this Bill throughout its various Stages. It was evident that we considered all suggestions made, leading, by way of mutual co-operation, to a worthwhile, strong, Bill. While there was a substantial degree of agreement on amendments there were some areas of disagreement which is only natural.

I am satisfied that we now have a Bill going on our Statute Book clearly the better for all the co-operation which was forthcoming from all sides of the House with regard to amendments. I thank everybody concerned.

On behalf of the Fine Gael Party I agree with the Minister's sentiments about this House answering the clear need of society by introducing this Bill. We have had censorship in so far as cinema and publications are concerned. We are answering a clear need to outlaw the vicious types of films which were available. The Minister might have taken on a number of amendments but did not do so. I wish the legislation a speedy passage through the Seanad. It was introduced as early as October 1987 and progress was slow. I welcome the fact that we are disposing of it now. It was said outside this House that we were introducing a form of undue censorship. I refute that in the strongest possible terms. There is a clear need for the legislation on our Statute Book. I thank the Minister for accepting a number of amendments on Committee Stage.

There has been a general demand for this Bill over several years. In 1986 my party introduced a Private Members' Bill to deal with the matter. It was taken up by the incoming Government and introduced in the House in October 1987. Apart from some of the amendments which were not accepted by the Minister, it has met the general demand. I am disappointed, however, that some of these amendments were not accepted. Nevertheless, I congratulate everybody concerned. This Bill will totally remove videos dealing with pornography and excessive violence. This type of material will disappear as the regulations are brought into effect. I would ask the Minister to ensure that this is done as soon as possible. Two years have passed since we started this debate and it is time for the speedy implementation of the provisions of the legislation.

I welcome the passage of this Bill. It will have to return to the other House in view of some of the amendments accepted here. The Bill is a very welcome development which closes an obvious gap in our corpus of legislation. I hope it heralds a vigorous war on video nasties which promulgate hatred against vulnerable minorities, women and children, in the form of pornography. I thank the Minister for accepting the proposal made by The Workers' Party to amend the legislation to include protection for those vulnerable minorities we have dealt with. I hope the authorities, including the censor and the Garda, will be given the necessary powers to take effective action in relation to the provisions of the Bill.

Question put and agreed to.
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