S.L. 542.1 Art. 3Board of Film Age-Classification.

(1) There shall be a board, to be called the Board of Film

Age-Classification, hereinafter referred to as the ''Film Board'', which shall consist of a Chairman and such number of other members, not being less than five and not more than eight, as shall be appointed annually by the Minister, which Board shall exercise and perform the functions assigned to it by these regulations. The members of the Film Board shall occupy such post for a period of one year, which period may be renewed.

(2) It shall be the function of the Film Board to classify films on the basis of guidelines to be drawn up, published and periodically updated by the Film Board based on the following main criteria:

(a) the general character of the production including whether it is of medical, legal or scientific character; and

(b) the literary, artistic or educational merit, if any, of the production; and

(c) the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults; and

(d) the person or class of persons to whom it is intended or by whom the production is likely to be viewed.

(3) The names of the members of the Film Board shall be published annually in the Gazette.

(4) Every film shall be classified according to age category by at least two members of the Film Board in accordance with the provisions of these regulations.

(5) When, upon any occasion, the Film Board desires to obtain the advice of any person upon any particular matter or matters, the Chairman of the said Film Board may co-opt such person to be a member for such meeting or meetings as may be required, and such person, while so co-opted, shall have all the rights and privileges of a member, save that he shall not be entitled to take part in any decision or in the report referred to in regulation 6.

(6) The provisions of sub-regulation (3) shall not apply to any persons co-opted to be members as provided in sub-regulation (5).

(7) The fees payable to every age-classifier of film shall be according to the Manual for setting the categorisation, classification and remuneration of Government appointed boards and committees.

(8) The Chairman of the Film Board shall be paid a fee of eight hundred and fifteen euro (€815) per annum in addition to the fees provided for in sub-regulation (7).

(9) The Film Board shall be composed of any number of members, as stipulated by these regulations, who shall possess knowledge and experience relevant to the classification of films and specifically in the following areas:

(a) film appreciation and the film and audiovisual industry;

(b) issues of public social and psychological concern, including educational issues; and

(c) development issues affecting persons under 18 years of age, one of whom shall be appointed Chairman of the Film Board by the Minister; and any person or persons appointed under paragraph (c) shall be so appointed after consultation with the Commissioner for Children.

(10) Voting on the Film Board shall be by majority, but in the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a casting vote in addition to his original vote.

(11) The Film Board may regulate its own procedure generally, and, in particular, regarding the holding of meetings, the notice to be given of such meetings, the proceedings thereat, the keeping of minutes, the custody, production and inspection of such minutes, and such other matters as are related to its functions.

(12) The Film Board may act notwithstanding any vacancy among its members.