Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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The Bill is more an attempt to be seen to be doing something than to grapple with the bigger issue. The briefing notes provided by the Minister of State pitch it as a minor and technical issue, but he stated that it is far more than that. There is a contradiction between the written supporting material and the comments of the Minister of State.

The private members' clubs have stated that the Bill is an effort to shut them down. Is that the intention of the Minister of State? I do not have skin in this game. Is that the intention of the Minister of State or is it an unanticipated side effect of the Bill? The clubs state that under the Bill they will be obliged to get a gaming permit, the conditions of which are so stringent that the clubs will be put out of operation. They argue that it will drive people who currently go to private members' clubs underground. Although online betting is licensed, online gaming is not. According to the clubs, online gaming is far more dangerous than such gaming in clubs, where restrictions may be put in place. Is it the intention of the Minister of State to shut down such clubs?