Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a brief question on taxation. I thank all witnesses for their excellent contributions and presentations. We in Fianna Fáil support much of what has been proposed by Mr. Iceton on the various amendments tabled. I wish to focus on taxation. It was rather interesting that Mr. O’Kane finished his presentation talking about taxation by saying that a 1% or 2% betting tax would not generate revenue. I recollect that when Charlie McCreevy was Minister for Finance in 2003 he introduced a betting tax of 8% which was rapidly reduced over the succeeding years down to 1%. Perhaps Mr. O’Kane could correct me on the sequence of events on the betting tax in this country. When the late Brian Lenihan as Minister for Finance wanted to introduce an increase of 2% in 2008 or 2009 he was lobbied so efficiently by the betting industry that he left it alone. We are left with the current situation. That is why I am anxious for Mr. O’Kane to focus on the betting tax or lack of it.

Irrespective of what Mr. O’Kane said – I would love to see the figures – the public perception is that the betting industry is getting away with blue murder and that it is coining it to an extraordinary extent. One only has to turn on one’s television at any time of the day or night, in particular during sporting events, to see the multitude of betting companies that are advertising on national television and on satellite television. I was fascinated to discover the number of variations that now exist for betting on a football match. It is extraordinary. I am curious to hear the specific proposals Mr. O’Kane has on increasing the tax. I am fully in favour of increasing the tax and for the money to be used to address many of the issues the industry is concerned about.