Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like others, I have fond memories of the introduction of the national lottery in 1986. The Government has decided that award of the new licence will be by way of competition. The successful bidder will in purchasing this licence make a major contribution, by way of an upfront payment, towards construction of the new national children's hospital.

I was one of the first agents of the national lottery when it was introduced in 1986. The increased footfall it brought to my newsagents and other newsagents helped us survive. Many sports and voluntary and charitable organisations have received funding from the national lottery down through the years. I was in Australia prior to 1986 and saw at first hand how popular playing the lottery was there. I suppose I had a bit of an edge because I understood from a business point of view that without the lotto my business would not survive.

I was secretary of Boyle Celtic soccer club at the time the national lottery was established. I understand that the application made by that club to the national lottery for funding was the second on file. On the first day of sales, there was great demand by men and women for tickets. I was concerned about the impact of this on the country, with everybody losing control of their spending. I recall saying that night that if spending was not curbed we would have a serious gambling problem in the country as a result. I am glad people recognised they had as much chance of winning with a €1 ticket as a €20 ticket. In my experience, there has not been much over-spend on the lotto during the past ten or 20 years.

As stated by Deputy Kenny, while the problem of gambling on slot machines has been regulated by the local authorities, online gambling is now creating problems. However, I acknowledge it is important people can purchase the lotto via the Internet, the margin on which will be only 6%. Many of the larger shops such as Tesco and so on are now lottery agents. It is important the new licence holder is aware of the importance to small shops, in terms of survival, of being a lottery agent. Also, small shops are often more accessible than the larger outlets.

It was a joy for my colleague and I when we met the Minister in 1987 to be told that Boyle Celtic club was to receive funding of £20,000. We went home that night and celebrated. Everybody was delighted. The club was built and the pitch has been in use now for the past 28 years. The standard of the pitch is incredible. The cost of the project at that time was £67,000, £20,000 of which was funded by the national lottery and the remainder of which was raised locally. It was money well spent.

An Post has been very professional in its operation of the national lottery. While there has been much pressure on it down through the years at political level in regard to the location of lottery machines, I believe its decisions in this regard were fair. However, I would say that. I wish the Minister every success. I hope we get a windfall for the country. It is hoped the new licence holder will ensure there is no over-gambling by people. We are moving with the times.

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