Ireland

[IE] Changes to Cinema Film Certificates

IRIS 2005-2:1/32

Candelaria van Strien-Reney

Faculty of Law, National University of Ireland, Galway

The Irish film censor has announced changes to cinema film certificates that have taken effect from 1 January 2005. This follows consultation with parents, educators, the public, film distributors and cinema managers. It also takes into account the results of a nationwide survey of parents published in September 2004 (see IRIS 2004-9: 13), which found inter alia that a significant percentage of parents found some of the classifications too strict. The censor has introduced a new "16" certificate, which restricts admission to those aged 16 and over. The censor has also re-designated the former "12PG" and "15PG" certificates as "12A" and "15A", where "A" denotes adult. The full list of certificate categories is now as follows:

- G [general]: suitable for all ages;

- PG [parental guidance]: suitable for all ages, but parental guidance advised;

- 12A: suitable for those aged 12 and over, but younger children will be admitted if accompanied by an adult;

- 15A: suitable for those aged 15 and over, but younger children will be admitted if accompanied by an adult;

- 16: Restricted to those aged 16 and over;

- 18: Restricted to those aged 18 and over. Classification certificates for videos remain unchanged.