Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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573. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for a list of movies, television shows and video games currently banned by the Irish Film Classification Office; when such items were last reviewed; the reason for their prohibition; the next scheduled review or expiration of their ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15658/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Under Irish law, decisions regarding classification of Films, Videos and DVDs are determined by The Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO). IFCO is a statutory body which is independent in the exercise of its official functions.

IFCO was established under the Censorship of Films Act 1923, with its role expanded under the Video Recordings Act 1989, to include classification of video and DVD. IFCO is responsible for examining and certifying all cinema films and videos/DVDs legally distributed in Ireland. The legislation provides that no picture shall be exhibited in public, unless the Director of Film Classification has certified that it is suitable and a certificate is displayed to that effect.

Often there is dialogue and scenes within films and videos that some viewers may find distasteful and offensive, but as long as they are not obscene or indecent in the opinion of the Director of IFCO, an appropriate certificate will be granted. IFCO has the responsibility to uphold freedom of expression, but this should not be construed as IFCO, or my Department, condoning or supporting violence within film and videos.

Regarding the last time the list of banned films was reviewed, I am advised that it is a matter for the distributor who holds the rights to submit a film, in order to have the current classification status reviewed. In 2024, the classification rating for 3 films was reviewed. In two instances, the classification was revised from 18 to 15A. In one instance, there was no change, as the 18 certificate was deemed appropriate.

Classifications awarded by IFCO are informed by guidelines that can be viewed on IFCO’s website, www.ifco.ie . In order to keep these guidelines relevant to consumers, IFCO engages periodically with focus groups comprised of parents and in the case of the most recent research, teenagers, to examine views on IFCO’s guidelines and to ensure that they reflect the expectations of today’s audience.

Under the Video Recordings Act 1989, video games are exempt from classification unless they are deemed prohibitable under section 3 (1) of the Act. Ireland, along with 15 other European countries, is a member of the Pan European Game Information organisation (PEGI), which produces age ratings for video games. Ratings and classifications of video games in Ireland are applied through the PEGI age-rating scheme. Only games awarded a PEGI 18 certificate are reviewed.

Coimisiún na Meán has responsibility for broadcast media, including television. This agency falls under the remit of the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and as such the Deputy may wish to redirect that element of his question to that Department.

In relation to the Deputy's request for a list of films currently banned in Ireland, IFCO have provided my Department with the list outlined below.