Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will not go back into the issues with regard to the regulator as I have made my case. We have strayed beyond the confines of the Bill which is to establish a new-shaped national lottery which will be put in place to benefit the community and not in any way to harm it. It will be very strictly regulated in a way no other lottery is in the State. I want to see people continue to play the lottery so those who can afford to do so get a flutter, and hopefully a few bob, and perhaps on occasion a great few bob. It lifts the psyche when it happens in a community or workplace and we can all see this. A large proportion of the population takes a flutter on the national lottery and it has been successful. This is the model I want to see replicated.

The larger issue raised by Deputy Boyd Barrett with regard to whether we want to grow gambling is not in the scope of this legislation.

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