Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have done this on every Stage of the legislation, which has been on the go for a considerable time. While I commend the officials on bringing forward a Bill that has not been heavily amended, they have had probably the longest period of time of any Bill I have seen. Notwithstanding the issues regarding having Commission approval, it is disappointing that we have lost tens of millions of euro of revenue because of the delay in the introduction of this charge on online gambling over the past number of years. The Finance Bill of 2009 increased the levy to 2% but it was never enacted by the then Minister, the late Deputy Brian Lenihan. This goes back a long way.

The levy must be increased. The former Minister of State, now MEP, former Deputy Brian Hayes, and the Minister, Deputy Noonan, have said we must get it across the line and then examine an increase in the levy. While it is expected that the levy will be increased, the fact that the Bill has been delayed for so long suggests that we should increase the levy now. The State badly needs the revenue. No matter when we bring in the €20 million from online gambling, the horse and greyhound fund will still need to be supplemented by Exchequer funding if it is to remain at its current level, and that sticks in my craw, particularly as cuts in different areas are announced. Although last year we examined discretionary medical cards, the Government passed a motion to put money into the horse and greyhound fund. While the industry has an economic benefit for the State, the fund goes to the winners of races in the State, and a large amount goes to certain stables, which is very difficult to swallow.

I am familiar with the economic benefits of the horse racing industry in the State. While my amendment has been ruled out of order, when the Bill comes before the Dáil in September and then goes to the Seanad, it should include an increase in the levy. Alternatively it should be addressed a few weeks later when the budget goes through. The Minister should signal his intention.

Are we missing a trick here? I ask the Minister of State and his officials to correct me if I am wrong. We are dealing with the taxing of online gambling. If I go onto the Paddy Power website and place a bet on a horse or a football match, the turnover will be taxed. However, if I go onto the Paddy Power website and play blackjack, the turnover the company makes on that is not taxed. Is that correct?