David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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The industry lobbying that has come to my attention has been to seek a regulator. Nobody has told me - or, as far as I know, the Department - that they do not want a regulator. There is an acceptance that we need a regulator and I am very anxious to have one. However, that is proving far more difficult and technical than I envisaged. I would love to have a regulator in place tomorrow. The report of the interdepartmental working group illustrates the complexity of the issue. We have spent the past year working very hard to analyse every aspect of the matter. I am sure members have read the report, which is very detailed and complex. I am willing to return to appear before the committee to discuss this matter at any time. Before Deputy Clare Daly came into the room, I apologised for the fact that I can only attend for 45 minutes this morning.

I am interested in the constructive views of the committee and any help it can provide us in bringing this work forward. We are where we are. I accept the criticism that the process has taken a long time. I wish it had not taken so long. It took a year for the report to be put together. It involved a significant amount of work and much interaction and research. The Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill is not just a technical Bill. It does far more than may initially appear to be the case. It will help in many ways to regulate some of the current practices. On lobbying, personally speaking, we have not come under any pressure. The people want this and I want it as well.