Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have been trying to get to the bottom of an issue in the last few weeks. It is possibly months at this stage. It relates to the selling of the licence to Premier Lotteries Ireland, PLI, and the number of secrecy clauses that were included. For example, we cannot get a figure for the amount of unclaimed prizes. Previously, those prizes went back into the draws. Under the new licence they are supposed to be used for the promotion of the national lottery and special draws, but there is no oversight of that. That is the role of regulator. The regulator has written to PLI asking for the figure and was told by PLI that it does not have to give the figure. I raised it last week with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, and he is refusing to state what the figure is or what oversight there is in terms of the role of regulator in ensuring that unclaimed prize money is being used as it is supposed to be used under the licence. Is there a role for this committee? I would like to invite the regulator to appear before the committee so I can ask who signed off on these secrecy clauses and whether we are getting value for money.