Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My question might be different. The Minister is conscious of the fact that it has a cost of approximately €360 million. He has probably underestimated the benefits of it. Apart from the fact that the industry was on its knees, it has given much extra work to people, especially those from low-income backgrounds. On the question of where the Minister will get the money, up to €200 million could be picked up from a sugar tax that we still have not introduced here. Given that obesity costs the country more than €1 billion per year and rising, this would involve some joined-up thinking. I do not know how easily this could be done, but online gambling is a rapidly growing industry and I do not see why it should not be taxed.

See this speech in context