Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

In many ways, the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 is more noteworthy for what is not in it than for what is in it. I say this in the context of the remark by the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform concerning his intentions to change the Bill he had just circulated. In particular, I am referring to his threat to include a provision to close casino clubs. While I should have known better, I found it extraordinary that the Tánaiste would carry on in this fashion, namely, to circulate a Bill but, in short order, shoot from the hip and indicate that he would close casino clubs apparently without consultation or due consideration.

I accept that the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956, which is coincidentally 50 years old, needs a comprehensive review, but if the above is the type of review we can expect from the Government, particularly the Tánaiste, all I can say is "God help us". At the time, we investigated the Tánaiste's proposal to close casino clubs and I am unsure about whether he was ever in one. I did not have great knowledge of them, but I went to the trouble of going to one.

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