Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, especially when we are talking about betting duty. I expected there would have been some progress. We read in the newspapers that Paddy Power Betfair hired Fergal O'Rourke and did a bit of lobbying with the Minister which put an end to the idea of increasing the rate above 1%. It was stated by the Minister of State's predecessors going back as far as the former Minister of State, Brian Hayes, that we would be better to get the 1% bedded in and then look at increasing the rate. We in Sinn Féin have argued for some time that this rate should increase to 3% and that the burden should be placed on the punter. This would actually be a benefit for small operators because, at the minute, they are absorbing the 1% and this would, therefore, increase their profitability by that amount. We looked at a 3% rate because we believe that is a rate the larger operators could not afford to absorb themselves. This would obviously bring in revenue which would properly fund the horse and greyhound fund but it would also provide money for addiction services and other services.

The amendment calls for a report to allow us to look at the options and to find how we could increase this rate over time. I think it is important that we have a signal, given I thought we were to move in this direction this year. I am not surprised at Paddy Power Betfair, and in fairness to Feargal O'Rourke, his company does professional work for Paddy Power Betfair and there is nothing untoward there, because that is what lobbying is. Nonetheless, I believe there is a requirement to do this.

Betting is also a vice. Many people do this, and I make a punt myself and I enjoy it, but it should be taxed appropriately. I can remember going to the bookies for my father - I was probably doing it illegally - and I would have been paying 10 pence to the pound, because that was what the punter had to pay at the time in tax. We are now talking about 3%, which is what is already captured online. I believe it is important to do this.