Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 16 Dec 1993

Vol. 437 No. 4

Written Answers. - Assistant Film Censor Appointments.

Alan Shatter

Question:

96 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice the names and addresses of persons recently appointed to the Film Censorship Board as members of the Board or as Assistant Film Censors; the qualifications required for such appointments; the dates on which any such appointments were made; the background of those who were appointed and their area of relevant expertise; whether the relevant positions were advertised; and the remuneration and/or expenses payable to those who were appointed.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

Censorship of films is the function of the Film Censor. There is no Film Censorship Board. I recently appointed a number of assistant censors to assist the Film Censor in the exercise of his functions, particularly those arising under the Video Recordings Act, 1989.

The following persons were appointed:

Ms Audrey Conlon, Dublin	(on a full-time basis)
Ms Olga Bennett, Dublin	(on a part-time basis)
Mr. Gerard Connolly, County Kildare	(on a part-time basis)
Ms Violet Ennis, Dublin	(on a part-time basis)
Ms Tras Honan, County Clare	(on a part-time basis)
Mr. John Keith, County Tipperary	(on a part-time basis)
Mr. Peter Kelly, County Longford	(on a part-time basis)
Mr. Tony Stapleton, County Meath	(on a part-time basis)

The full-time appointment was made with effect from 15 November 1993 and the part-time appointments with effect from 29 November 1993.

The relevant statute does not specify qualifications for the position of assistant censor. However, I consider that the primary qualifications needed are maturity, sound judgment and objectivity and the persons appointed were selected on this basis. The positions were not advertised.

The full-time assistant censor is paid an annual salary of £22,500. The part-time assistant censors are remunerated at the rate of £70 for each day on which they perform their duties. Consideration is being given to the payment of limited travel and subsistence expenses to those living outside the Dublin area.