Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has made a very important point. All of us who are parents are obviously concerned about our children. If someone who is under age gets his or her hands on a credit card, he or she can be in business straight away simply by using the Internet to access paddypower.comor boylesports.com. This is a serious issue. The principal Act provides that it is an offence "to make a bet or enter into a betting transaction with" a person under the age of 18. The Bill, as published, provides that "the Minister for Justice and Equality may revoke a certificate of personal fitness .... where he is satisfied that .... the holder of the certificate is not a fit and proper person to hold a bookmaker’s licence, a remote bookmaker’s licence or a remote betting intermediary’s licence". It further provides "a relevant consideration" regarding the refusal to issue or revocation of a certificate of personal fitness arises when "the applicant, or a body corporate of which the applicant is a relevant officer, stands convicted of an offence" under certain Acts of the Oireachtas, including the betting Acts. Accordingly, the Minister agrees that the protection of minors is indeed a fundamental principle of the legislation and is satisfied that this is already provided for through the provisions of the existing legislation and in the Bill as published. Therefore, he does not propose to accept this amendment.