Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask a final question. I believe it was Mr. Ross who referred to Gibraltar and Malta, although I am not sure in what context. This is a global industry and we live in the digital world. Where operators are less stringent or regulated, is it possible for us to deny them the opportunity to operate within the Republic, elsewhere in Ireland or in the UK? What was the relevance of the reference to being based in Malta or Gibraltar versus being based in Dublin or London? Mr. Ross might elaborate. He might also speak about the less scrupulous and unregulated operators and how they might impact on those who wish to run regulated, compliant and safe gambling operations.

I apologise if the thrust of my questioning appears to be excessively around the minority for whom gambling is a real problem, but that is the raison d'êtreof this legislation. It is a significant problem; we can all see it in our constituencies. The general impression is that it affects young men, but it is not exclusive to them. I have constituency experience of an elderly gentleman who is about to lose his family home, unbeknownst to his wife and children, because of problem gambling. It affects people across the board, and we want to address the issue while recognising that, for the majority, this is an innocent pursuit. We need to have the most stringent regulation to address gambling addiction.