Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I add my voice to those who are asking the Minister of State to separate fundraising from gambling. He said there is a difference and that he will bring forward amendments in the Seanad. That is crucial. I know he has heard many examples today but I want to give him one or two as well.

Listening to my local radio station earlier, I heard an advertisement for North West Hospice radio bingo, as it is on every weekday. The jackpot now stands at €19,900. If this legislation was in place, such advertising could not be aired. The number of people who play radio bingo every day is substantial. The proceeds go directly to North West Hospice. We all know that the organisation provides the highest quality palliative care to those who need it. The cost of a double bingo book is €8. Most people get the double book and that is the extent of it for the week. The numbers are announced each day on the radio, and that is how the bingo is played. If this legislation were to come into force as it stands, that would have to stop.

I was not listening to the radio all day but I did hear some of it. The other advertisement I heard was for Western Gaels hurling and camogie club in west Sligo. It was advertising a dream holiday with a total prize fund of around €26,000. Advertising that on local radio is the club's lifeblood. It wants to build a home ground for camogie and hurling in County Sligo. Those are just two examples, but there are hundreds more advertised on local radio and local media. Without that advertising, they just would not succeed.

I am happy to take the bona fides of the Minister of State on this. He says he fully understands the intent of the amendments. He knows this as well as we do from local experience. I hope he will be good to his word and that the amendments to be introduced in the Seanad will ensure the examples my colleagues and I have given will be able to continue exactly in the way they currently operate.

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