Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Government is proceeding with the Gambling Regulation Bill and it is due to pass through the House later today. Essentially, the difficulty is that it prohibits charities and sports clubs from advertising their draws and other vital fundraising initiatives if they have a prize fund in excess of €10,000. I am referring to organisations such as North West Hospice, which runs Ocean FM radio bingo, and Limerick Camogie, which is advertising a draw with a prize of a car that has a value greater than €10,000. In my own constituency, various GAA clubs have lottos and often have prize money above that amount. Indeed, St. Mary's GAA in Carrick-on-Shannon is planning to raffle a house this year as part of its fundraising activities. The Government has refused to listen so far to the charities and voluntary organisations, many of which do vital work and provide the type of services we have heard raised in the House, such as services for people with disabilities. The Government legislation, if it goes through, will seriously curtail the fundraising activities of these organisations. Sinn Féin has put down an amendment to deal with this. Will the Government back that amendment to ensure they can continue to fundraise as they currently do?

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