Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy is aware, I have initiated a wide-ranging review of gambling, the objective of which is to provide Government with options for a new and comprehensive legal and organisational framework governing the gambling architecture in the State. The casino gaming control section of my Department will be responsible for bringing forward proposals, including a draft Bill for a revised gambling code.

Consultation is an essential part of the review currently under way. The control section of my Department, through a public information notice in daily newspapers and on my Department's website, invited submissions from interested parties and members of the public. The closing date for the receipt of submissions is 30 September.

The gaming control section is, as a consequence, consulting widely with stakeholders - statutory, NGO and the private sector - and with the community at large before bringing forward any proposals. My Department will, with the benefit of the consultation process and on the receipt of submissions, develop legislative proposals based on three important considerations which are the hallmark of most well regulated gambling codes. These are that young people and the vulnerable are protected; that gambling should in all respects be fairly and openly conducted; and that gambling is kept free of crime.

The Deputy will appreciate that developing a revised gambling code that is capable of generating broad public support is a complex task. Notwithstanding that, I have instructed the control section in my Department to make every effort to provide me with policy options for a new gambling architecture by the end of the year which will include proposals for a draft Bill on the subject. Ultimately, it will be for Government to decide the policy approach to be legislated for in this area.

The Deputy will also be aware that in tandem with the review of gambling, I decided that the private members' clubs at which gambling activities are carried on will have to comply with relevant anti-money laundering and terrorist financing legislation. On 28 July, I published the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Bill 2009 which will transpose the third EU money laundering directive into Irish Law. I expect that the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Bill 2009 will be considered by the Oireachtas as a priority this session.

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