New laws are required to protect children from video games and other material depicting violent or sexually graphic acts, a Government TD said yesterday.
Cork South Central TD Mr John Dennehy called on the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr O'Donoghue, to include in his forthcoming discussion document on censorship measures to restrict children's access to unsuitable material through films, video games and Internet sites. He said he was very concerned that children had access to an alarming amount of unregulated material. Parents had contacted him to express shock and urge action.
"There have been rapid technological advances but the laws protecting children are more than 50 years old," he said. "We need to move now. This is something we can have a national consensus on."
A review of censorship legislation by the Department of Justice has been under way for some months and is addressing issues relating to children, a Department spokesman said. He said the Film Censor's office classifies films as suitable for children or otherwise and also handles complaints regarding video games and other material.
The spokesman said the extension of a European classification system for computer games - ELSPA - was also being considered.