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Irish Film Classification Office
Year founded1923
Websitehttp://www.ifco.ie/
For the rating template, see {{IFCO}}.

The Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) (Irish: Oifig Aicmithe Scannán na h-Éireann) is the organisation responsible for film and some video game classification and censorship within the Republic of Ireland. Where restrictions are placed by the IFCO, they are legally binding. The office was formerly referred to as the Irish Film Censor's Office.

Certificates[edit | edit source]

Unlike the BBFC in the UK, which prior to PEGI ratings becoming legally enforceable in the UK 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 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 second and 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:

Title Year Certificate
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty 2001 15
Silent Hill 2 2001 15
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 2002 18
Mafia 2002 15
Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance 2002 15
Grand Theft Auto III (Xbox) 2003 18
Grand Theft Auto Double Pack 2003 18
Manhunt 2003 18
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne 2003 15
Silent Hill 3 2003 18
The Silent Hill Collection 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.