Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With regard to amendment No. 8, while there has traditionally been a link between revenues accruing from betting taxes and the allocation to the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, there is no hypothecation of these revenues. All receipts from betting will go to the Exchequer. The funding of the horse and greyhound industries is primarily a matter for discussion between the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in the context of the annual Estimates campaign.

Having said that, the Minister, Deputy Noonan, is on the record as stating that any increase in revenues as a result of these measures will allow the Government to provide additional funding in certain areas including the horse and greyhound industries. However, I reiterate, the question of funding these industries is a matter in the first place for the Ministers concerned.

With regard to amendment No. 9, the Minister has consistently said that his priority is to extend the existing system to the remote sector so that all betting activity is included in the tax net. Once a level playing field is in place, all other options relating to the rate and type of tax can be explored. It is the Minister’s intention that all the options available in this regard, including the taxation of other forms of gambling, will be fully explored.

Accordingly, I do not propose to accept these amendments.

See this speech in context