Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

It is unacceptable for the Minister to hide behind the absence of an all-party Dáil committee on this issue. Urgent action is needed. The Minister stated he does not have figures with regard to gambling in Ireland. Will he accept what was stated by Betfair, one of the busiest Internet gambling companies, that Ireland is the third largest market in the world for Internet gambling?

Will the Minister examine what steps he and the Government can take urgently to ensure there is an age barrier on Internet gambling and that persons engaged in this type of activity are not below the age of 18 or 16? It is possible to regulate Internet gambling with regard to age and introduce a barrier blocking mechanism but the Minister has not done so.

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