Parents Council seeks 'rational' debate on pornography

The National Parents' Council has called for a more in-depth and rational debate on the issue of pornography and censorship in Ireland.

The call comes as the organisers of the Dublin International Film Festival prepare to screen Michael Winterbottom's controversial movie 9 Songs tomorrow night.

The movie, which was approved by the Film Censor last year, is the most sexually-explicit film ever to be officially screened in Ireland.

National Parents' Council president Eleanor Petrie said she hoped the film would spark a rational debate about the issue of pornography.

"We tend to debate it either by saying 'definitely no' or 'yes, we want it', instead of having a rational debate around it," she said.

"I think, provided people are aware and they know exactly what's involved in this, then they're making that conscious choice. But I do think that we need to debate it."