asked the Minister for Justice if he has taken account of recent authoritative public utterances respecting the evil influence of certain film representations on the minds of school-going children, and if it is his intention to introduce proposals for legislation to deal with the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Film Representations.
I have given this matter consideration, not only in connection with the public utterances to which the Deputy refers, but on several other occasions. I am advised that there would be serious difficulties in framing effective legislation on this subject, and in enforcing such legislation without undue hardship both to the persons employed in the cinema business and to the public. I doubt also whether there is any general acceptance of the view that parents in this country are neglecting their duty as regards the control of their children of school-going age to such an extent as to make State interference essential in a matter of this kind.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is he not of opinion that 99.9 per cent. of the hypocritical rubbish that was published in the Irish Press about films is balderdash, that the Irish film censor is doing his work admirably and excluding from any film that is exposed for public view in this country everything that might legitimately be described as offensive, and will he take steps to stop the hypocritical “andrew martins” of the Irish Press in this regard?
I think the Deputy is very hard on Deputy O'Neill.
I meant to be hard on the Irish Press.