Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In fairness to the Minister of State, he has already provided some statistics. He gave a figure of €670 million for 2015. In 2018, it was €802 million. That is an increase of €132 million in a short period, which is great. The Irish betting shops have been doing this lottery for the past 25 years. Many people are dependent on the shops for jobs. Are we actually thinking about what we are doing? Next we will be chasing the GAA clubs and Tidy Towns committees. It is all right stating it will not happen but that is the way things go. Suddenly, there could be a drive to get rid of betting shops or Internet betting. The next thing, charities would be the focus. It is wrong. The betting shops are paying their taxes. The tax was increased by 100% recently. There is an anti-betting shop trend. I have met people involved in the industry, especially in my county, Louth. What is being proposed would be a bad influence.