Editing Irish Film Classification Office

{{Short description|Irish censorship and classification within Ireland}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox organization
| name                     = Irish Film Classification Office<br />Oifig Aicmithe Scannán na hÉireann
| image                    = [[File:IFCO logo (version 2).svg|class=skin-invert]]
| formation                = {{Start date and age|1923|df=yes}}
| purpose                  = [[Motion picture rating system|Film ratings]]
| headquarters             = [[Dublin]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
| leader_title             = Director of film classification
| leader_name              = Dr. Ciaran Kissane
| website                  = {{URL|www.ifco.ie}}
}}
The '''Irish Film Classification Office''' ('''IFCO''') ({{langx|ga|Oifig Aicmithe Scannán na hÉireann, OASÉ}}) is the organisation responsible for films, television programmes, and some video game classification and censorship within [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. Where restrictions are placed by the IFCO, they are legally binding.

Prior to 21 July 2008, the office was branded as the ''Irish Film Censor's Office'', and was previously known as simply the ''Film Censor's Office'', or, in legal references, the office of the ''Official Censor of Films'', which was the official title of the head of the office prior to that date. The head of the office is the '''Director of Film Classification'''.

==Background==
[[File:IFCO 1962cover.jpg|thumb|1965 [[Cover (philately)|envelope]] sent to local office of [[20th Century Fox]] with '''certifying cachet''' of the Film Censor's Office]]
The Irish Film Censor's Office was set up in 1923, under the Censorship of Films Act 1923.<ref>{{Cite ISB|title=Censorship of Films Act 1923|year=1923|number=23|section=1|schedno=|stitle=Establishment of office of Official Censor of Films|parl=ifs|date=16 July 1923}}</ref> This law was amended in [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1925/en/act/pub/0021/index.html 1925], [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1930/en/act/pub/0013/index.html 1930], [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1970/en/act/pub/0007/index.html 1970], and [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1992/en/act/pub/0029/index.html 1992]; and a substantial revision of the law occurred in the [https://web.archive.org/web/20051206051939/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1989_22.html Video Recordings Act, 1989] which extended the remit of the office to the regulation of the video importation and supply industry. On 21 July 2008 the ''Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008'' came into force. Section 70 changes some of the provisions with regard censorship of films in the State. Section 71 renames the Film Censor as the Director of Film Classification and consequent to this, the Irish Film Censor's Office became the Irish Film Classification Office.

==Staff==
The office consists of 21 staff members:
*Acting Director of Film Classification – George Sinclair
*Deputy Director – Vacant
*10 Assistant Classifiers
*Office Manager
*6 [[Civil service of the Republic of Ireland|Civil Servants]] from the [[Department of Justice (Ireland)|Department of Justice]]
*2 Projectionists

The 10 assistant classifiers are paid €168 per day and are entitled to claim expenses on top of this. According to a [[Freedom of information legislation#Ireland|freedom of information]] request granted to the [[Sunday Times (Ireland edition)|Irish edition of the ''Sunday Times'']] the assistant classifiers claimed €306,683 in fees and €52,569 of expenses in 2007; €339,608 in fees and €49,898 of expenses in 2008; and €162,263 in fees and €21,401 of expenses for the first half of 2009. This equates to a payment of approximately €60 per film rated.<ref name="IST IFCO info 1">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article6982430.ece|title=Ex-politicians paid €40,000 to watch films|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times|Sunday Times]]|first=Colin|last=Coyle|date=10 January 2010|access-date=26 November 2014|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219022459/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Certificates==
===Introduction and early history===
Before 1965, there were no certificates and all films were tailored for a general audience, resulting in several bans and cuts (no doubt also due to extremely conservative societal standards). As of 2004, 2,500 theatrical films had been banned and about 11,000 cut, largely from before the overhaul.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rockett|first1=Kevin|title=Irish film censorship – an outline account|url=http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/lookupreports2/AA073005F7A0F95780256F020055DD28/$File/a+history.pdf?openelement|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=8 March 2018|archive-date=8 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508142718/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/lookupreports2/AA073005F7A0F95780256F020055DD28/$File/a+history.pdf?openelement|url-status=live}}</ref>

Public controversy over the office's harsh methods came to a head in late 1964 – in 1963 alone, 31 films were rejected and 156 were cut.<ref>{{cite news|title=Censorship of films|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=11 February 1964}}</ref> Critically acclaimed hits were no exception – ''[[Dr. Strangelove]]'' was cut, including Ripper's reference to Communists trying to "sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids" with fluoridated water, and Irish-shot medical drama [[Of Human Bondage (1964 film)|''Of Human Bondage'']] was banned due to the heroine dying of syphilis.<ref name=censor21111964>{{cite news|title=End of "thaw" in film censorship? Too few limited showings|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=21 November 1964}}</ref> Even after the ban was overturned the following year,<ref>{{cite news|title=Film censor responsible|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=12 March 1965}}</ref> it still received an over-18's certificate<ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Brien|first1=E.C.|title=Letters to the editor: Film censorship|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=26 March 1965}}</ref> with cuts<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cassidy|first1=J|title=Letters to the Editor: Cinema '65|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=13 January 1966}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Linehan|first1=Fergus|title=Censorship again|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=7 February 1966}}</ref> – nude sculptures made by [[Auguste Rodin]] were removed from the background of the title sequence.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Keenan|first1=Patrick|title=Letters to the Editor: Rodin Out|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=31 March 1965}}</ref>

In 1964, [[Brian Lenihan Snr|Brian Lenihan]], the newly appointed [[Minister for Justice (Ireland)|Minister for Justice]], met with the Cinema and Theatre Association in November to consider their views<ref>{{cite news|title=Protest over severe film censorship|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=28 November 1964}}</ref> and even proposed to view recently banned films, including ''Of Human Bondage''.<ref name=lenihan30111964>{{cite news|title=Lenihan intervenes in film censorship: Will see banned films|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=30 November 1964}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Minister to see banned film|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=4 December 1964}}</ref> On 28 November, Lenihan announced he'd be appointing a new Film Appeals Board and would be able to reform censorship without changing existing legislation<ref name=lenihan30111964 /> – film correspondent Fergus Linehan pointed out that the 1923 Act explicitly supported age certification:<ref name=censor21111964 />
{{Quote box
 |quote  = If the Official Censor is of opinion that any picture in respect of which an application is made to him under this section is not fit for general exhibition in public but is fit for exhibition in public in certain places in Saorstát Eireann or under special conditions or in the presence of certain classes of persons, '''he shall grant a certificate that such picture is fit for exhibition in public subject to such restrictions and conditions (which shall be expressed on the certificate)''' in regard to the places at which or the special conditions under which the picture may be exhibited or the classes of persons who may be admitted to an exhibition of the picture as in the opinion of the Official Censor are necessary to prevent the exhibition of the picture in public being subversive of public morality.
 |source = ''Censorship of Films Act 1923'', Section 7, Part 3
 |quoted = 1
}}

Lenihan announced the new Appeals board, which came into effect on 18 January 1965.<ref>{{cite news|title=Films appeal board announced|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=9 January 1965}}</ref> Their main task was to begin enforcing limited certificates (alongside the general certificate).<ref name=historicaldocumentbook>{{cite book|last1=Flynn|first1=Roderick|last2=Brereton|first2=Patrick|title=Historical Dictionary of Irish Cinema|url=https://archive.org/details/historicaldictio00flyn|url-access=limited|date=30 July 2007|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0810855571|page=[https://archive.org/details/historicaldictio00flyn/page/n88 53]}}</ref> which were as follows, according to the Appeals Board chairman:<ref>{{cite news|last1=Maguire|first1=Conor P.|title=Film censorship in Ireland: Appeals chairman's views|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=12 October 1966}}</ref>
* '''Over 16'''
* '''Over 18'''
* '''Young persons under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult'''
* '''Educational'''

In addition, Over-21s certificates were awarded to four films,<ref name="Rockett21s">Rockett 2004 pp. 200, 203, </ref> including ''[[Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (film)|Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?]]'',<ref name="Rockett21s"/> ''[[Alfie (1966 film)|Alfie]]'',<ref name="Rockett21s"/> and ''[[Marat/Sade (film)|Marat/Sade]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cinemas |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1967/1016/Pg009.html#Ar00908 |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 March 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=16 October 1967 |page=9 col 1 |quote=International— ... 6.25 and 8.45: "Marat Sade" Over 21s}}</ref>

===Cinematic certificates===
[[File:The_World_is_Not_Enough_-_Irish_Film_Censor's_Office_age_certificate_PG_1999.jpg|thumb|right|An official cinema certificate from 1999, which would've directly preceded the film.<ref>[https://propstore.com/product/james-bond-various-productions/lot-334-cinema-poster-live-auction-bbfc-certificate-james-bond-pierce-brosnan-1990s/ ''The World Is Not Enough''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027101808/https://propstore.com/product/james-bond-various-productions/lot-334-cinema-poster-live-auction-bbfc-certificate-james-bond-pierce-brosnan-1990s/ |date=27 October 2020 }}. The Prop Store. Retrieved 21 October 2020.</ref>]]

The current cinematic certificates were announced in December 2004 at the European Conference of Film Classifiers in [[Paris]] and introduced on 1 January 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/censor-s-changes-to-film-certs-1.1169376|title=Censor's changes to film certs|first=Michael|last=Dwyer|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926205452/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/censor-s-changes-to-film-certs-1.1169376|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2005, a public campaign was launched to raise awareness of them, including booklets, posters, stickers and an animated certificate produced by [[Brown Bag Films]] which drew attention to their relatively new website.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ifco.ie/website/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/news?opendocument&news=yes&type=graphic |title=News from IFCO |website=Irish Film Classification Office |access-date=9 February 2019 |archive-date=26 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226173106/http://www.ifco.ie/website/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/news?opendocument&news=yes&type=graphic |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.breakingnews.ie/showbiz/animated-film-certificate-to-raise-ratings-awareness-230375.html|title=Animated film certificate to raise ratings awareness|date=15 November 2005|website=Breaking News|access-date=9 February 2019|archive-date=10 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210044507/https://www.breakingnews.ie/showbiz/animated-film-certificate-to-raise-ratings-awareness-230375.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=1531&tpl=archnews&force=1 | title=Film Censor Launches Awareness Campaign | date=16 November 2005 | publisher=IFTN | access-date=7 June 2020 | archive-date=1 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201231606/http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=1531&tpl=archnews&force=1 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.superannrte.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2129:Newsletter-19th-November-2005-2129&catid=23&Itemid=184|title=Newsletter 19th November 2005|website=superannrte.ie|access-date=9 February 2019|archive-date=10 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210044519/https://www.superannrte.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2129:Newsletter-19th-November-2005-2129&catid=23&Itemid=184|url-status=live}}</ref>

* '''G''' – General: Suitable for all
* '''PG''' – Parental Guidance: Suitable for children aged eight and older; parents are advised to accompany younger children.
* '''12A''' – Minimum age for admission is 12, but younger children can be admitted if accompanied by an adult (12PG between 1 June 2001 – 1 January 2005).
* '''15A''' – Minimum age for admission is 15, but younger children can be admitted if accompanied by an adult (15PG between 1 June 2001 – 1 January 2005).
* '''16''' – Minimum age for admission is 16; younger viewers will not be admitted under any circumstance (introduced on 1 January 2005).
* '''18''' –  Minimum age for admission is 18; younger viewers will not be admitted under any circumstance.

{| style="margin:1em auto 1em auto"
|-
| [[File:IFCO G (Cinema).svg|80px]] || [[File:IFCO PG (Cinema).svg|80px]] || [[File:IFCO 12A.svg|80px]] || [[File:IFCO 15A.svg|80px]] || [[File:IFCO 16 (Cinema).svg|80px]] || [[File:IFCO 18 (Cinema).svg|80px]]
|}

{| style="margin:1em auto 1em auto"
| [[File:IFCO - 12PG certificate.png|80px|The former 12PG certificate retired by the IFCO in 2005.]]  ||  [[File:IFCO - 15PG certificate.png|80px|The former 15PG certificate retired by the IFCO in 2005.]]
|}

=== Home video certificates ===
These were introduced on 1 September 1994:<ref>{{cite ISB|year=1994|type=si|num=134|title=Video Recordings Act 1989 (Supply Certificate and Labelling) Regulations 1994|date=12 May 1994|access-date=9 February 2019|archive-date=9 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209232021/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1994/si/134/made/en/print}}</ref>

* '''G''' – Fit for viewing by persons generally
* '''12RA''' – Fit for viewing by persons generally, but in the case of a child under 12 years, only in the company of a responsible adult.
* '''15''' – Fit for viewing by persons aged 15 or more.
* '''18''' – Fit for viewing by persons aged 18 or more.

From that date it was an offence to trade uncertified videos, which carried fines of up to £1000 and a maximum sentence of three years.<ref>{{cite news|title=New labels to show video's suitability|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=31 August 1994}}</ref> Additional rates came in at £180 per rental title, £80 per sale title and £20 per advert/trailer. This limited the market, especially for London distributors whose releases previously went to Ireland automatically.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Foley|first1=Michael|title=Additional cost limits Ireland's video choice|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=27 February 1995}}</ref>

In 1996, the 12RA certificate was officially replaced by PG and 12,<ref>{{cite ISB|year=1996|type=si|num=407|title=Video Recordings Act 1989 (Supply Certificate and Labelling) (Amendment) Regulations 1996|date=20 December 1996|access-date=9 February 2019|archive-date=9 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209232517/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1996/si/407/made/en/print?q=video+recordings+act|url-status=live}}</ref> although releases still used it into the 2000s.<ref name=filmogs12RA03>{{cite web|title=Filmogs – The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers|url=https://www.filmo.gs/release/42578-the-lord-of-the-rings-the-two-towers|access-date=9 February 2019|archive-date=1 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001142510/https://www.filmo.gs/release/42578-the-lord-of-the-rings-the-two-towers|url-status=live}}</ref>

The current certificates for home video formats such as DVD and Blu-ray that are issued are:

* '''G''' – General: Suitable for all
* '''PG''' – Suitable for general viewing, but parents are advised to watch with children younger than 12 years old.
* '''12''' – Suitable for people aged 12 and over, and not to be supplied to someone below that age.
* '''15''' – Suitable for people aged 15 and over, and not to be supplied to someone below that age.
* '''18''' – Suitable for people aged 18 and over, and not to be supplied to someone below that age.

{| style="margin:1em auto 1em auto"
|-
| [[File:IFCO G.svg|80px]] || [[File:IFCO PG.svg|80px]] ||  [[File:IFCO 12.svg|80px]] ||  [[File:IFCO 15.svg|80px]] ||  [[File:IFCO 18.svg|80px]]
|}

A retired certificate only used on home video is:

* '''12RA''' (no longer issued) Not suitable for people aged younger than 12 unless they view with an adult, and not to be supplied to someone below that age. The "RA" stands for "Responsible Adult". Retired around 2003 (officially replaced in 1996).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/lookupreports2/1C09242E19D2559D80256EC1005CC251/$File/Film+Censors+Report+.pdf?openelement|title=1686 – Film Censors Report 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315120336/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/lookupreports2/1C09242E19D2559D80256EC1005CC251/$File/Film+Censors+Report+.pdf?openelement|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 March 2016|date=15 March 2016}}</ref><ref name=filmogs12RA03 />

[[File:IFCO_-_12RA_video_certificate.png|center
|80px]]

=== Standard cinematic-home video certification crossover ===
This is the crossover, or change, in a certificate that will happen when a film which has been shown in cinemas, is released on home video, but this only applies if:

* There is no extra material (bonuses, trailers, etc.) which is not appropriate to the main feature, and would cause it to receive a higher certificate.
* The film has not been edited (material taken out, etc.) in a way which would cause the main feature to receive a lower certificate.

The standard crossovers are as follows:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Cinema certificate
!Home video certificate
|-
| G || G
|-
| PG || PG
|-
| 12A || 12
|-
| 15A || 15
|-
| 16 || 15/18
|-
| 18 || 18
|}
Note: The certificate "12RA" did not have a corresponding cinematic certificate, and thus, did not have a standard crossover (certain 12A films received the certificate before it was withdrawn in the mid-2000s).

If the two rules above apply to a film's home video release, then, generally, it will be re-rated completely, ''but'' this does not mean certificates will always coincide for all formats, as occasionally (usually the DVD or Blu-ray) one edition will contain extra features while the other does not, causing one to be re-rated, and the other to take a Standard Crossover (for instance, a film which received a 15A certificate in cinemas may have received a 15 certificate on VHS but an 18 certificate on DVD; usually DVDs in these circumstances would carry a label on the reverse, informing viewers of this).

====Home video====
[[File:Irish film censor dvd stamp.jpg|thumb|right|A censor's stamp on a 2004 DVD]]
Until February 2009, the home video certificates were always the certificate surrounded by an octagon, followed by the words "FILM CENSOR'S OFFICE" and "OIFIG SCRÚDÓIR NA SCANNÁN", which were then surrounded by another, larger, octagon. The colours were cyan and white, but the order they appear in varied. Although the Office was renamed in July 2008, these continued to bear the old name until February 2009, when they were altered to read "IRISH FILM CLASSIFICATION OFFICE" and its Irish equivalent.

===Video games===
Unlike the [[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]] in the UK, which prior to PEGI ratings becoming legally enforceable in the UK on 30 July 2012 rated video games that met certain criteria (such as very graphic violence), the Irish Film Censor's Office does not usually rate video games, leaving ratings to [[Pan European Game Information|PEGI]], unless the game's content is deemed prohibitable under section 3 (1) of the Act.

IFCO ratings for video games were introduced in 2001 and retired in 2003. Although the Silent Hill Collection was released in 2006, it contained re-releases of the [[Silent Hill 2|second]] and [[Silent Hill 3|third]] games, which were rated and released in 2001 and 2003 respectively.

Only 9 games have ever been submitted to and rated by the IFCO:
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
|-
! Title
! Year 
! Certificate
|-
|''[[Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty]]''<ref name=moby15>{{cite web|title=IFCO Rating : 15|url=http://www.mobygames.com/attribute/sheet/attributeId,1404/|website=Moby Games|access-date=8 March 2018|archive-date=8 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308232708/http://www.mobygames.com/attribute/sheet/attributeId,1404/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|2001
|15
|-
|''[[Silent Hill 2]]''<ref name=moby15 />
|2001
|15
|-
|''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]]''<ref name=moby18>{{cite web|title=IFCO Rating : 18|url=http://www.mobygames.com/attribute/sheet/attributeId,1405/|website=Moby Games|access-date=8 March 2018|archive-date=8 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308232556/http://www.mobygames.com/attribute/sheet/attributeId,1405/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|2002
|18
|-
|''[[Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven|Mafia]]''<ref name=moby15 />
|2002
|15
|-
|''[[Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance]]''<ref name=moby15 />
|2002
|15
|-
|''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]'' (''[[Xbox]]'' version)<ref name=moby18 />
|2003
|18
|-
|Rockstar Games Double Pack: Grand Theft Auto (inc. ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]]'')<ref name=moby18 />
|2003
|18
|-
|''[[Manhunt (video game)|Manhunt]]''<ref name=moby18 />
|2003
|18
|-
|''[[Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne]]''<ref name=moby15 />
|2003
|15
|-
|''[[Silent Hill 3]]''<ref name=moby18 />
|2003
|18
|-
|The Silent Hill Collection (inc. ''[[Silent Hill 2]]'' and ''[[Silent Hill 3]]'')<ref name=moby18 />
|2006
|18 (overall)
|}

Despite the lack of legally binding ratings, most (if not all) video game retailers attempt to prohibit the sale of PEGI 18+ rated games to people under the age of 18, and prior to PEGI ratings the same was done with BBFC 18 ratings on games (the same packaging is usually used in games sold in Ireland as in the UK).

The only prohibition notice for a video game was issued for ''[[Manhunt 2]]'' in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/news?opendocument&news=yes&type=graphic |title=Manhunt 2 video game prohibited |website=Irish Film Classification Office |access-date=19 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120192726/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/news?opendocument&news=yes&type=graphic |archive-date=20 November 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Appeals ==
All decisions made with regard to certification, may be appealed for up to 6 months after the certificate is initially issued. An appeal is issued to the Classification of Films Appeal Board.

Works may also be submitted for re-classification after seven years since the original certification have passed ('''not''' an appeal ''per se'', but rather seen as an update of classification based on current standards).

The most recent example of a (failed) appeal is ''[[The First Purge]]'', which received an 18 certificate for ''strong bloody violence, sustained threat and disturbing scenes''.<ref>http://www.ifco.ie/website/IFCO/ifcoweb.nsf/SearchViewFilm/671B1E91BB983227802582C100301FF2?OpenDocument&OpenUp=True {{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> The distributor ([[Universal Pictures]]) argued the case for a 16 certificate:
{{Quote box
 |quote  = We would contend that the last two films in the franchise, in particular, are similar in tone and viscerality to the current film.{{ref|firsttwo|A}}

''The First Purge'' is a thematic continuation of how a group of people must fight to survive a night of government-sanctioned mayhem. Similar to ''Anarchy'' and ''Election Year'', ''The First Purge'' features intensely depicted violence and some gory imagery but has contextual justification. There are sustained scenes of threat in which the characters are terrorised by masked killers but the guidelines for a 16 classification on the IFCO suggest that strong horror and sustained threat may be acceptable in this category.

The violence is presented in an extremely stylised way in an equivalent manner to the earlier films in the franchise as well as similar titles like ''[[Atomic Blonde]]'' (16), ''[[John Wick (film)|John Wick]]'' (16) and ''[[John Wick: Chapter 2]]'' (16).
 |source = ''Direct correspondence between Universal Pictures and the IFCO''
 |quoted = 1
}}

:A.{{Note|firsttwo}} ''[[The Purge: Anarchy]]'' and ''[[The Purge: Election Year]]'' both received 16 certificates, for "''frequent strong bloody violence, disturbing sequences, strong threat of sexual violence''"<ref>http://www.ifco.ie/website/IFCO/ifcoweb.nsf/SearchViewFilm/22C5B19D8795AF0180257D0A004CFC3F?OpenDocument&OpenUp=True {{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> and "''strong bloody violence throughout''"<ref>http://www.ifco.ie/website/IFCO/ifcoweb.nsf/SearchViewFilm/0CF88647F7AE23F680257FE700504C41?OpenDocument&OpenUp=True {{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> respectively. The distributor also mentioned the film's 15 certificate in the UK,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/first-purge-2018|title=The First Purge|website=bbfc.co.uk|access-date=10 November 2019|archive-date=10 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110080940/https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/first-purge-2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> which is consistent throughout the franchise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bbfc.co.uk/search/releases/purge|title=Search for Releases|website=bbfc.co.uk|access-date=10 November 2019|archive-date=10 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110080957/https://bbfc.co.uk/search/releases/purge|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After first being viewed on 15 June, it was re-viewed on 21 June when the Appeal Board stuck by the original decision.

Ger Connolly wrote back, explaining the decision in greater detail:
{{Quote box
 |quote  = This is the fourth film of this particular franchise. As can sometimes be the case with long-running horror franchises, in evolution they become more violent and explicit to maintain the interest of their audience. This is, in my opinion, the case with ''The Purge'' series of films. The first instalment, essentially a 'home invasion' thriller, was classified 15A. The next two (''The Purge: Anarchy'' and ''The Purge: Election Year'') broadened out the story and intensified in terms of body count and the graphic way in which some of the violence was depicted. Both were classified 16 on cinema release. ''The Purge: Election Year'' was classified 18 on DVD release. In most cases films classified 16 theatrically are classified 15 on DVD release. This classification is more restrictive than 15A. In rarer cases the DVD classification is increased to 18 to reflect the level of content.

''The First Purge'' intensifies the extremely graphic violence   – the violence here is brutal and sustained. It also contained a scene of sexual assault as well as scenes of very overt brutal racist violence against African Americans with the attackers in full Ku Klux Klan regalia. These were not present in the other instalments.

I suggest that the context here is not sufficient to warrant a 16 classification due to the extremely brutal and frenzied acts of violence combined with racial hatred and that ''The First Purge'' is appropriately classified at 18.
 |source = ''Ger Connolly, in direct correspondence with Universal Pictures''
 |quoted = 1
}}

<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/the-purge-appeal-classification-ireland-4231610-Sep2018/|title=Appeal after 'brutal and frenzied violence' leads to film getting 18 rating|first=Aoife|last=Barry|website=TheJournal.ie|date=16 September 2018 |access-date=10 November 2019|archive-date=10 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110080940/https://www.thejournal.ie/the-purge-appeal-classification-ireland-4231610-Sep2018/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Previous appeals (excluding bans)===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Title
!Original certificate
!Content guidance/Details
!Appeal results
!Revised certificate
!Current certificate
|-
| 1989 || ''[[The Karate Kid Part III]]'' || 15 || ''"Very, very violent"'' and ''"an evil influence for young audiences"'' according to head censor Sheamus Smith.

A spokesperson for [[Columbia TriStar Television|Columbia TriStar]] said, ''"The first two [[The Karate Kid (franchise)|Karate Kid]] films had 'under 12' certificates here and the new one has similar certificates in Britain and America. The films are very popular with young audiences"''.

The appeal viewing took place on 26 July and the decision, which was decided by a 4:1 ratio, pushed the release date back from mid-July to 4 August.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title=Censor gets black eye as 'Karate Kid' passes|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=28 July 1989}}</ref> 
|| Upheld || Under 12's accompanied || PG<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/4IjSb8T|title=The Karate Kid Part III – BBFC PG, IFCO PG|website=Imgur|access-date=15 October 2019|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219022420/https://imgur.com/a/4IjSb8T|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1989 || ''[[Ghostbusters II]]'' || Under 12's accompanied || Columbia Tri-Star requested a General certificate.<ref name="Censorship and certification">{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title=Censorship and certification|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=2 February 1990}}</ref> || Failed || || PG<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/tcX04UP|title=Ghostbusters II – BBFC PG, IFCO PG|website=Imgur|access-date=15 October 2019|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219022504/https://imgur.com/a/tcX04UP|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|1990 || ''[[Look Who's Talking]]'' || 15 || Smith objected to the opening, showing [[sperm]] swimming in a [[womb]], followed by the mother disclosing an affair with her married boss and that she was [[artificial insemination|artificially inseminated]].

The appeal viewing took place on 26 January.<ref name="Censorship and certification"/>
|| Upheld || Under 12's accompanied || 15<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/eqk4WKV|title=Look Who's Talking – BBFC 12, IFCO 15|website=Imgur|access-date=15 October 2019|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219022438/https://imgur.com/a/eqk4WKV|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1990 || ''[[Gremlins 2: The New Batch]]'' || 15 || Smith objected to the violence, including a gremlin being killed when pushed into a paper shredder.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title='Gremlins' lose target audience|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=27 July 1990}}</ref> || Failed || ||12<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/tJXU6eC|title=Gremlins 2: The New Batch – BBFC 12, IFCO 12|website=Imgur|access-date=15 October 2019|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219022420/https://imgur.com/a/tJXU6eC|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1990 || ''[[Rocky V]]'' || 15 || Smith objected to the "extreme violence" of the final street fight.

[[United International Pictures|UIP]] requested an Under 12's accompanied certificate and the decision was made unanimously.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title=Censor's ruling on 'Rocky' upheld|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=27 July 1990}}</ref> 
|| Failed || || 15<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/qW3AXlx|title=Rocky V – BBFC PG, IFCO 15|website=Imgur|access-date=11 July 2020|archive-date=17 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217162204/https://imgur.com/a/qW3AXlx|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1991 || ''[[Thelma & Louise]]'' || 18 || Due to "frequent violence".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title=Over 18 rating for 'Thelma and Louise'|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=25 July 1991}}</ref>  || Failed || || 15<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/0gu3rAe|title=Thelma & Louise – BBFC 15, IFCO 15|website=Imgur|access-date=15 October 2019|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219022422/https://imgur.com/a/0gu3rAe|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1991 || ''[[Dead Again]]'' || 18 ||<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title=More work for Appeals Board|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=27 September 1991}}</ref><ref name="Branagh does it right again">{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title=Branagh does it right again|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=25 October 1991}}</ref> || Upheld || 15 || 18<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/rcgUk7a|title=Dead Again – BBFC 15, IFCO 18|website=Imgur|access-date=15 October 2019|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219022447/https://imgur.com/a/rcgUk7a|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1991 || ''[[Toy Soldiers (1991 film)|Toy Soldiers]]'' || 18 || Viewed twice by the Appeal Board.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title=Such stuff as dreams are made on|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=11 October 1991}}</ref> || Upheld || 15 || 15<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/YjBCuhi|title=Toy Soldiers – BBFC 15, IFCO 15|website=Imgur}}</ref>
|-
| 1991 || ''[[Boyz n the Hood]]'' || 18 ||<ref name="Branagh does it right again"/> || Failed || || 18<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/MA30pth|title=Boyz n the Hood – BBFC 15, IFCO 18|website=Imgur|access-date=27 October 2019|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219022511/https://imgur.com/a/MA30pth|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1992 || ''[[Wayne's World (film)|Wayne's World]]'' || 15 || Smith released this teen comedy with a 15 certificate for strong language.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Coogan|first1=Anna|title=The new mad, mad world|newspaper=Evening Herald |date=21 May 1992}}</ref> At the time, the new Appeals Board hadn't been appointed, but it was submitted for review as soon as the new members of the Board took their jobs.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title=Reel news: Funds for five films|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=24 July 1992}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title=Reel news: A year to savour in the cinema|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=31 December 1992}}</ref> || Upheld || Under 12's accompanied || PG<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/7GzybR6|title=Wayne's World – BBFC PG, IFCO PG|website=Imgur|access-date=27 October 2019|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219022516/https://imgur.com/a/7GzybR6|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1994 || ''[[Heaven & Earth (1993 film)|Heaven & Earth]]'' || 18 || After the uncut version received an 18 certificate, [[Warner Bros.]] submitted the cut British version, and although Smith initially gave it an 18 too, his decision was overturned.

The appeal viewing took place on 16 February.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title=Reel News|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 February 1994}}</ref><ref name="The Irish Times">{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title='Over 18' cert for film about Irish bomber|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=12 August 1994}}</ref>

The British version was cut by 55s to reduce scenes of torture and sexual violence involving a female prisoner, which "left the emphasis on the tragic implications rather than the infliction of pain and degradation", and lowered the certificate from 18 to 15.<ref>{{cite news|title=Classification: Films|work=BBFC Annual Report 1994-95|date=1994}}</ref> 
|| Upheld || 15 || 18 (cut British version)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/H4gIk9p|title=Heaven & Earth – BBFC 15, IFCO 18|website=Imgur|access-date=27 October 2019|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219022513/https://imgur.com/a/H4gIk9p|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1994 || ''[[Blown Away (1994 film)|Blown Away]]'' || 18 || Due to violence.

The appeal viewing took place on 10 August.<ref name="The Irish Times"/> 
|| Failed || 18 || 18<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/wjSDVNy|title=Blown Away – BBFC 15, IFCO 18|website=Imgur|access-date=27 October 2019|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219022425/https://imgur.com/a/wjSDVNy|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1996 || ''[[Some Mother's Son]]'' || 18 ||<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dwyer|first1=Michael|title=Display of film poster restricted|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=19 September 1996}}</ref> || Upheld || 15 || 15<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/EWlApY1|title=Some Mother's Son – BBFC 15, IFCO 15|website=Imgur|access-date=27 October 2019|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219022508/https://imgur.com/a/EWlApY1|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 1999 || ''[[Wild Wild West]]'' || 15 ||<ref>{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Sheamus|title=A movie every day – and even the bad ones are fascinating|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=22 September 1999}}</ref> || Upheld || 12 || 12<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/BFysfZV|title=Wild Wild West – BBFC 12, IFCO 12|website=Imgur|access-date=27 October 2019|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219022425/https://imgur.com/a/BFysfZV|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2004 || ''[[Closer (2004 film)|Closer]]'' || 18<ref>http://www.ifco.ie/website/IFCO/ifcoweb.nsf/SearchViewFilm/E70AFE87161ED2FB80256F8C005899A9?OpenDocument&OpenUp=True {{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> || Intense, explicit sexual dialogue, strong language, mild nudity. || Failed<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=3602&tpl=archnews&force=1 |title='Closer' Row Rumbles Between Tristar & Film Censor |date=14 December 2004 |website=iftn.ie |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927005707/http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=3602&tpl=archnews&force=1 |archive-date=27 September 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ||
|-
| 2008 || ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian]]'' || 12A<ref>http://www.ifco.ie/website/IFCO/ifcoweb.nsf/SearchViewFilm/F093FD3073E7AF4480257455003FCED9?OpenDocument&OpenUp=True {{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> || Sustained battle sequences, with killing and injury, which while not gory, may still upset younger viewers. || Upheld || PG
|-
| 2008 || ''[[Inkheart (film)|Inkheart]]'' || 12A<ref name="ifco.ie">http://www.ifco.ie/website/IFCO/ifcoweb.nsf/SearchViewFilm/413D9CEF6CF37BDA802574F2004411F0?OpenDocument&OpenUp=True {{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> || Moderate threat/frights and scary fantasy violence, some of which may disturb younger children. || Failed<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/lookupreports2/AF587BBF78FCE244802575E80031FBC5/$File/2008%20Annual%20Report%20ENGLISH.pdf?openelement |title=Annual Report Of The Director Of Film Classification 2008 |website=Irish Film Classification Office |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114121033/http://ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/lookupreports2/AF587BBF78FCE244802575E80031FBC5/$File/2008%20Annual%20Report%20ENGLISH.pdf?openelement |archive-date=14 November 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ||
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Watchmen (2009 film)|Watchmen]]'' || 18<ref name="ifco.ie"/> || Contains strong, visceral hyper-realistic violence, including one brutal sexual assault. || Upheld || 16
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Orphan (2009 film)|Orphan]]'' || 18<ref>http://www.ifco.ie/website/IFCO/ifcoweb.nsf/SearchViewFilm/6A6057FCDBD54933802575FC004B7007?OpenDocument&OpenUp=True {{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> || Disturbing theme and content, depicted with underlying menace. Strong, gory horror violence. || Upheld || 16
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Law Abiding Citizen]]'' || 18<ref>http://www.ifco.ie/website/IFCO/ifcoweb.nsf/SearchViewFilm/51AFE30C4707B4A880257658005505BB?OpenDocument&OpenUp=True {{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> || Vengeance thriller with strong, brutal, sadistic, bloody violence. || Upheld || 16
|-
| 2009 || ''[[The Lovely Bones (film)|The Lovely Bones]]'' || 15A<ref name="ReferenceA">http://www.ifco.ie/website/IFCO/ifcoweb.nsf/SearchViewFilm/431581A47525D73A80257687005BCE70?OpenDocument&OpenUp=True {{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> || Child abduction and murder. Strong scenes of violence and its aftermath. || Upheld || 12A
|-
| 2010 || ''[[The Hole (2009 film)|The Hole]]'' || 15A<ref name="ReferenceA"/> || Horror involved with confronting fear. || Failed<ref>http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/lookupreports2/2C9A1587B1BD8C4780257B80003E4C87/$File/Annual%20Report%202010%20English.pdf?openelement {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326180501/http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/lookupreports2/2C9A1587B1BD8C4780257B80003E4C87/$File/Annual%20Report%202010%20English.pdf?openelement |date=26 March 2016 }}</ref> || 
|-
| 2012 || ''[[ParaNorman]]'' || 12A<ref>http://www.ifco.ie/website/IFCO/ifcoweb.nsf/SearchViewFilm/3DB64B26DE08E91C80257A5C0044053E?OpenDocument&OpenUp=True {{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> || Frequent moderate frightening scenes. || Upheld || PG
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Lawless (film)|Lawless]]'' || 18<ref>http://www.ifco.ie/website/IFCO/ifcoweb.nsf/SearchViewFilm/7F017C0A48BE047B80257A5A004C9920?OpenDocument&OpenUp=True {{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> || Brutal gory violence. || Upheld || 16
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Taken 2]]'' || 15A<ref>http://www.ifco.ie/website/IFCO/ifcoweb.nsf/SearchViewFilm/02DC8511B166022580257A780049484B?OpenDocument&OpenUp=True {{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> || Sustained strong violence and sequences of intense threat. || Upheld || 12A
|-
| 2013 || ''[[Safe Haven (film)|Safe Haven]]'' || 15A<ref>http://www.ifco.ie/website/IFCO/ifcoweb.nsf/SearchViewFilm/6EF6C4C606D0BD7E80257B0F005031C0?OpenDocument&OpenUp=True {{dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref> || Scenes of strong spousal violence. Brief moderate sex scene. || Upheld || 12A
|-
| 2017 || ''[[Free Fire (film)|Free Fire]]'' || 18<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/E2F4B0180055D81F|title=Free Fire (2017)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=31 May 2019|archive-date=31 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531194023/http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/E2F4B0180055D81F|url-status=live}}</ref> || Relentless bloody violence. Strong drugs use.
|| Failed ||
|-
| 2018 || ''[[The First Purge]]'' || 18<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/671B1E9100301FF2|title=The First Purge (2018)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=31 May 2019|archive-date=31 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531194021/http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/671B1E9100301FF2|url-status=live}}</ref> || Strong bloody violence, sustained threat and disturbing scenes.|| Failed || 
|-
| 2018 || ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' || 12A<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/384493A90040EBFB|title=Bumblebee (2018)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=31 May 2019|archive-date=31 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531194021/http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/384493A90040EBFB|url-status=live}}</ref> || Moderate violence.
|| Failed || 
|-
| 2019 || ''[[Mid90s]]'' || 18<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/FD1833400046645A|title=Mid90s (2019)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=31 May 2019|archive-date=31 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531194021/http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/FD1833400046645A|url-status=live}}</ref> || Strong drugs use. Disturbing scenes and situations. Strong sex references.|| Upheld || 16
|-
| 2019 || ''[[Downton Abbey (film)|Downton Abbey]]'' || 12A<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/47C7A044003A3662|title=Downton Abbey (2019)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=6 September 2019|archive-date=6 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906093808/http://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/47C7A044003A3662|url-status=live}}</ref> || Brief homophobic reference.|| Upheld || PG
|}

==Refusals and bans==
Films may be refused a certificate, e.g. on grounds of obscenity. Such films may not be shown in public cinemas or sold in shops, but are not ''ipso facto'' banned and have been shown at film festivals and [[art film|art house]] clubs such as the [[Irish Film Theatre]] and [[Irish Film Institute]]. These may also show films which have not been submitted for certification, as the submission fee may be prohibitive if a film is screened only a few times at a small venue.

Prohibitions and revocations, with justification, are listed in the official gazette, {{lang|ga|[[Iris Oifigiúil]]}}, under the headings of '''PROHIBITION ORDER''' and '''REVOCATION ORDER'''.

Despite the recommendations in the 2000 review of certification that no further films be banned, bans are still occasionally issued, although usually overturned on appeal. ''[[Boy Eats Girl]]'', a 2005 movie, was initially banned, with the option of a cut being provided to the producers. On appeal, the film was passed uncut, and granted a 15A rating,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/boy-will-get-to-eat-girl-after-all-1.476854|title=Boy will get to eat girl after all|first=Donald|last=Clarke|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219022510/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/boy-will-get-to-eat-girl-after-all-1.476854|url-status=live}}</ref> although the video certificate was raised to 18.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/lookupreports2/D2E379DFC484D98E802571AB0039E72B/$File/2005%20Annual%20Report.pdf?openelement |title=Annual Report of the Official Censor of Films for 2005 |website=Irish Film Classification Office |access-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114121206/http://ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/lookupreports2/D2E379DFC484D98E802571AB0039E72B/$File/2005%20Annual%20Report.pdf?openelement |archive-date=14 November 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Movies which are never submitted for cinema release in Ireland are occasionally banned on attempted video releases, although only one such order was made in 2004, banning the pornographic ''Anabolic Initiations 5'', with the appeals board upholding the censor's order. One order was issued in 2005, reiterating the ban on ''[[Deep Throat (film)|Deep Throat]]''. The only order in 2006 banned the pornographic film ''Steal Runaway''.

For a complete list of banned films, see [[Film censorship in the Republic of Ireland#Notable banned or cut films]]

== Criticism ==
{{more citations needed|section|date=November 2019}}
Like many systems of entertainment classification, the IFCO has received criticism for several decisions they have made in the past. The board has been described as too zealous and conservative. Many titles that receive 15 certificates from the BBFC are rated 18 by the IFCO. DVD examples include ''[[Kick-Ass (film)|Kick-Ass]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/1D0A22A500736BA7|title=Kick-Ass (2010)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031171502/http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/1D0A22A500736BA7|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Black Swan (film)|Black Swan]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/2819C5B30078DC14|title=Black Swan (2011)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031171505/http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/2819C5B30078DC14|url-status=live}}</ref> Rarer cinema examples (which bypass the 16 rating) include ''[[Free Fire (film)|Free Fire]]''<ref name="auto"/> and ''[[You Were Never Really Here]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/3922AF0E0050DC8D|title=You Were Never Really Here (2018)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031171500/http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/3922AF0E0050DC8D|url-status=live}}</ref>

However, the IFCO are more lenient with strong language than the BBFC are, especially with very strong language (e.g. 'cunt'). Examples include ''[[Frost/Nixon (film)|Frost/Nixon]]'' and ''[[The Visitor (2007 drama film)|The Visitor]]'' receiving 15 certificates in the UK<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/frostnixon-2008|title=FROST/NIXON |website=British Board of Film Classification|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031171556/https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/frostnixon-2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/visitor-2007|title=The Visitor|website=bbfc.co.uk|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031171459/https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/visitor-2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> but PG's in Ireland<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/5AC1C25E00569F45|title=Frost/Nixon (2009)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031171503/http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/5AC1C25E00569F45|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/D3A2B1CE00441548|title=Visitor, The (2008)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031171504/http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/D3A2B1CE00441548|url-status=live}}</ref> despite the use of the stronger term '[[motherfucker]]', and ''[[Gone Girl (film)|Gone Girl]]'' receiving an [[18 (British Board of Film Classification)|18]] in the UK<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/gone-girl-film|title=Gone Girl|website=bbfc.co.uk|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031171459/https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/gone-girl-film|url-status=dead}}</ref> but a 15 (on video) in Ireland<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/36D416210078DB60|title=Gone Girl (2014)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031171503/http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/36D416210078DB60|url-status=live}}</ref> despite four aggressive uses of 'cunt'. The 2014 documentary ''[[Red Army (film)|Red Army]]'' received a 15 in the UK<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/red-army-2014|title=Red Army|website=bbfc.co.uk|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031173059/https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/red-army-2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> but a 12A in Ireland<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/855BF77500403E42|title=Red Army (2015)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031171506/http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/855BF77500403E42|url-status=live}}</ref> for a single use of 'cocksucker' (although the video rating was upgraded to 15).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/9DECB130007369A9|title=Red Army (2015)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031171502/http://ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/9DECB130007369A9|url-status=live}}</ref>

Three titles in particular drew criticism of the board: ''[[Election (1999 film)|Election]]'',<ref>https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/8QYAAOSwfAtgpTgq/s-l1600.jpg {{Bare URL image|date=March 2022}}</ref> ''[[But I'm a Cheerleader]]''<ref>https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/KC0AAOSwyj5hZw3F/s-l1600.jpg {{Bare URL image|date=March 2022}}</ref> and ''[[Brokeback Mountain]]''.<ref>https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/6f0AAOSw7qdhgT5J/s-l1600.jpg {{Bare URL image|date=March 2022}}</ref> All three were rated 18 in Ireland and 15 in the UK, although ''[[Brokeback Mountain]]'' was rated 16 for cinema release because the system is different than for video releases (it was only an 18 on video) – ''[[But I'm a Cheerleader]]'' was re-rated 15 in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/0179D3230078ECA6|title=But I'm a Cheerleader (Director's Cut) (2021)|website=Irish Film Classification Office|access-date=8 January 2022|archive-date=8 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108225453/http://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/0179D3230078ECA6|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The IFCO is established on a statutory basis and thus the appeals procedure is final. Where a film or video game is banned, there can be no further appeal, but the work may be resubmitted after seven years.

== See also ==
* [[British Board of Film Classification]] – the equivalent body to the IFCO in the United Kingdom
* [[Censorship in the Republic of Ireland]]
* [[Film censorship in the Republic of Ireland]]
* [[Television content rating systems]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/europe/confessions-of-an-irish-censor-why-clark-gable-casablanca-and-cliff-got-the-chop-792076.html |work=[[The Independent]] |title=Confessions of an Irish censor: why Clark Gable, 'Casablanca' and Cliff got the chop |first=David |last=McKittrick |date=6 March 2008 |access-date=14 December 2016}}
* {{cite book |first=Kevin |last=Rockett | author-link = Kevin Rockett|title=Irish film censorship: a cultural journey from silent cinema to internet pornography |location=Dublin |publisher=Four Courts Press |year=2004 |isbn= 1-85182-844-3}}

==External links==
* {{official website}}
* [https://www.tcd.ie/irishfilm/censor/ Irish Film Censors' Records] – searchable calendar at [[Trinity College Dublin]], mostly from period 1923–38

{{Pornography legality|state=collapsed}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Motion picture rating systems]]
[[Category:Mass media in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Entertainment rating organizations]]
[[Category:Censorship in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Government agencies of the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Department of Justice (Ireland)]]