Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I am long enough in this House to know that when a Minister wants to embrace me in an all-party committee, it is time to reach for my gun because something very unpopular is usually in contemplation. I am surprised to hear the Minister say the Government has no views on the report. The Government received the report in April 2007, so that should be long enough to form a view. When did we start legislating on an all-party basis? The point of being fortunate enough to be in the Minister's position is that he initiates legislation and this House expresses a view on it.

The Minister promised on 4 March that he would publish the document within a fortnight. Why did he not keep that pledge? I put it to him that it must be because of the approach of the bookmakers to the Government with a view to the introduction of these modern day slot machines. These machines are woefully addictive and are described across the water as the cocaine of gambling. Given the complexities that confront his Department, is legislating for the introduction of slot machines the most productive use of the Minister's time? Slot machines are addictive for young working class males in particular. There is no point in telling me that the report states that they should not be implemented, because I do not have the report. The Minister told me he would have it in two weeks on 4 March, but we have not had it yet. Now he tells us it is ready for publication, but used the felicitous phrase that it was subject to the issues in it being resolved. Theoretically that gives the Minister about five years and he can shelter behind that phrase during that time.

When will the report be published? Will he legislate for slot machines or not?

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