Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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I thank Dr. Fulton very much for attending. The difficulty we have is that she has given us very good research to add to the debate on why we need legislation. However, the person whom we could question about the legislation did not have enough time with us. Dr. Fulton is in an unfair set of circumstances in which we are just asking her to confirm the evidence she has given us. The person with whom we need to tease out the issue in order to implement some of the recommendations is not here to answer our questions. If we do not have many questions, it is just that Dr. Fulton has given us many of the answers. She will have heard the Minister of State earlier. To me, he hid a little behind, or used the excuse of, interdepartmental responsibility for this issue and the crossover between health and justice.

The figures from the Institute of Public Health demonstrate the significant health and social cost of gambling which far exceeds any income generated, aside from the human cost. In that context, what immediate steps must be taken? We heard a little about the delay in the legislation but improving, say, addiction services does not require legislation. What priority steps could be taken now that do not require legislation? Developing more points on the idea of a dedicated gambling addiction treatment service would be one option but what are Dr. Fulton's thoughts on advertising? Should there be a significant, high-profile, Government-led campaign on advertising? Has much study been done on the impact that might have?

The lines have blurred. People traditionally thought of gambling as a fella going to the pub on a Sunday while waiting for the wife to make the dinner and popping into the bookies. Now it seems as if everybody gambles and it is done through mobile phones and online. Should the Government be advertising the impacts? Is there evidence available, or are there other steps the Government could take in the meantime if the legislation is so complex? That is not to say I buy the argument of legislation being complex.