Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
775. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a full time film censor will be appointed ini view of the fact that there has been an acting censor in situ for some time; his views on whether the time has come to rectify and or regularise the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1195/13]
View answerThe post of Director of Film Classification is a statutory one, provided for under Section 2 of the Censorship of Films Act 1923, as amended by the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008.
Section 2(3) of the Censorship of Films Act 1923 as amended provides that whenever the Director of Film Classification is temporarily unable to attend to his duties, or where the office of Director of Film Classification is vacant, the Minister may appoint a fit person to perform the duties of the Director of Film Classification, during such inability or vacancy. Every person so appointed shall during his appointment have all the powers of the Director of Film Classification. In accordance with Section 2(3) of the Act, Mr Ger Connolly, the Deputy Director of Film Classification has been appointed to perform the duties of the Director of Film Classification, on a full time basis, since the retirement of Mr John Kelleher from the position of Director of Film Classification in late 2009. I have no plans to alter this situation at this time.
