Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

We just got it today. The last time we raised this issue, the Minister stated that he wanted to bring in what he called a gambling architecture for the State. That sounds great, but it is a tall order, given the different players in the market from the small bookies to the big on-line players. We are at it for a couple of years, so is there any point in looking at an interim solution specifically for the horse breeding industry? The Minister knows how badly the industry is doing. There are fewer horses, trainers, races, jobs and less money. We are right up at the top at international level in this area. If we go off the stage for a few years, we will lose our place and our reputation. Is there any point in looking at an interim arrangement?

One of the problems with the tax for small bookmakers was that it was a tax on turnover. That can be very onerous because the bookmaker must pay even if there is no profit at all. Is there any point in looking at some other kind of tax or a flat contribution? I know that the big on-line companies are more than willing to make a contribution. Nobody is happy with the turnover tax, but half a loaf is better than no bread at the moment. If the architecture to which the Minister refers is so difficult to achieve, should we be looking at something that can help the horse industry in the meantime?

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