Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 15, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following:“(c) the holder of the certificate failed to take adequate steps to prevent persons under the age of 18 undertaking betting transactions.".

I am proposing to amend section 11 of the Bill by providing a further reason for the revocation of a certificate of personal fitness. The Minister of State will probably respond by saying this would be more appropriately dealt with in the context of the gambling control Bill. It is important at this stage to highlight the issue of minors gambling not only in bookmakers' shops but also online, where it is far more difficult to control young people who want to gamble. A "Prime Time" special on this issue some time ago showed that minors are able to place bets in bookies' shops. As most young people are au faitwith technology, they are easily able to circumvent the minimal controls that are in place at the moment. I am proposing that if the holder of a licence has "failed to take adequate steps to prevent persons under the age of 18 undertaking betting transactions", that should be grounds for the revocation of a licence.