Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Although the company is private, we have tabled the amendment because there is a central fund established in legislation. The national lottery is established under legislation so it is different from a private enterprise. There are moneys for the benefit of the public. As a result of what Deputy Sherlock stated about people betting on a couple of numbers, I am conscious that the amendment, as drafted, may go a bit further than anticipated. I tried to limit it a little in order that it would not cover such situations. The matter is complicated. We have had a fairly consensual meeting here. I might return to this amendment on Report Stage rather than pressing it now. I do not know whether I will necessarily win the argument in any event. The Government should, however, seek to determine what it can do to protect the Central Fund. The Minister of State gave statistics indicating the lottery is doing very well but we know from other jurisdictions that a lottery can be undermined by very effective offshore operators. We need to ensure that we do not permit this. If it happens, it will be too late to start introducing legislative measures to try to protect the national lottery. The harm will have been done. The Minister of State should give greater recognition to the need to protect the Central Fund.