Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

73. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when the deputy director or acting director will be appointed as director of film classification at the Irish Film Classification Office; and the role she envisages the Irish Film Classification Office having in the future. [11958/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The 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 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 was appointed to perform the duties of the Director of Film Classification in late 2009. Further to sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the designation of Mr. Connolly as Director of Film Classification is currently being progressed.

I can advise the Deputy that I have no plans at this time to make any changes in relation to the current role of the Irish Film Classification Office.