Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The controls that are not in place which allow those under 18 years to open accounts are not on Ms Twomey's shoulders. However, once they do so, the issue of advertising arises. This is an industry worth €10 billion in this country. The spend and reach it has is enormous. The online advertising it engages in dwarfs every other section online. Online media advertising by these companies must be taken extremely seriously. Self regulation will not be adequate. I am only reflecting what the special rapporteur on children's affairs has said, who pointed out that three-quarters of those aged 12 to 17 years now gamble. Ms Walsh and Dr. Campbell have spoken on the impact of childhood obesity. One can see the physical impact of that but one cannot see the mental destruction caused by young children gambling until it has become too late.