Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that the film censor is fulfilling his role as censor of films rather than classifier of films; and if he has had discussions with the film censor on this matter. [3838/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Irish Film Censor's Office was created by the Censorship of Films Act 1923. The film censor is appointed to undertake the functions provided for in this, and subsequent, legislation, including the Video Recordings Act 1989. The Deputy will appreciate that, as such, the film censor is independent in the exercise of his official functions. However, I am considering a review of the censorship legislation. Any proposals for changes to the legislation that might result from such a review would be brought before the Government and announced in the usual manner.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the censorship of films legislation obliges the film censor to refuse a certificate to any film which is indecent, obscene or blasphemous or which tends to incorporate principles contrary to public morality. [3839/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Office of Film Censor was created by the Censorship of Films Act 1923. The film censor is appointed to undertake the functions provided for in this, and subsequent legislation, including the Video Recordings Act 1989. The legislation provides that no film shall be exhibited in public unless it is certified as fit for public exhibition by the film censor.

The legislation gives the film censor the power to certify films and to impose conditions or restrictions upon their exhibition. It also provides for the prohibition of films where the film censor forms the opinion that such film or some part thereof is unfit for general exhibition in public by reason of its being indecent, obscene or blasphemous or because the exhibition thereof in public would tend to inculcate principles contrary to public morality or would be otherwise subversive of public morality.