Censorship in the Republic of Ireland

Ireland rarely exercises censorship though the state retains wide-ranging laws which allow for it, including specific laws covering films, advertisements, newspapers and magazines, as well as terrorism and pornography. In the early years of the state, censorship was widely enforced, particularly in areas which were opposed by Catholic dogma; including abortion, sexuality and homosexuality.

Current censorship

Film censorship

Ireland's Film Censors Office, renamed in 2008 as the Irish Film Classification Office, heavily cut films and videos for rental release, or placed high age ratings on them. Since the release of Michael Collins in 1996, which was rated PG, and despite its depictions of extreme violence, the censors office has reduced age ratings in general and rarely cuts films. Ratings usually match those of the UK, or are one level higher or lower. In 2000 The Cider House Rules received an 18s certificate in Ireland due to its themes of abortion and incest, despite the fact that in UK the film received a mere 12s certificate.

Six film rating categories exist, although a film may have been re-rated by the time of its video/DVD release.

• G, into which anyone is allowed
• PG, into which anyone is allowed but parental consent is advised, and is down to the discretion of the cinema or video library
• 12A, a cinema-only certificate, which those over the age of 12 or those with parental consent may watch. Was formerly called 12PG, does not exist for video releases
• 15A, a......
...

Read More