asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the growing volume of opinion that exposure to violent scenes on television programmes is a very large contributory factor to the spiralling rate of crime and violence in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Violence on Television.
11.
(Limerick East): I am not aware of any evidence which supports the assertion in the question that there is such a growing body of opinion or of any convincing evidence that violence on television programmes is in fact a very large contributory factor in the commission of violent criminal acts. Research into the causes of crime has repeatedly indicated that there is a variety of possible contributory factors, many of which overlap in complex ways. It would appear that there are differing views on screen violence as a contributory factor in crime. Television programmes are, of course, outside my area of responsibility.
Is the Minister aware that two United States Presidential Commission reports have established beyond doubt that there is a link between television programmes and social aggression and violence generally?
(Limerick East): I am aware that there is a massive body of literature dealing with criminology in general and that it is difficult to establish a consensus of the causes of crime. There may be a connection between violence as portrayed in the media and certain forms of crime but there is no evidence to support it, certainly not in this country. The links seem to be tenuous and many other factors cause crime.
On the basis of the conclusions reached by the commission in the United States, would the Minister agree that there is merit in the suggestion that we should endeavour to carry out necessary research here to establish conclusively whether there is a link?
(Limerick East): At present I am having the adequacy of the law in relation to video nasties examined and I would appreciate if the Deputy would give me the references for those commission reports because they have not yet been examined.