Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply.

I am glad that this issue is finally progressing and I hope that we can get it over the line on this occasion. The extension of the 1% levy to online gambling was first provided for in the Finance Act 2011, subject to a licensing regime. Then there was a Betting (Amendment) Bill in 2012, as the Minister indicated, a subsequent one in 2013, and the last movement in the Oireachtas was in September last, and it has cost us a lot of revenue.

Perhaps €50 million has not been collected by the State because of the delays in implementing this betting duty. It is, according to the estimate I had, approximately €1.5 million a month and, as the Minister indicated that the annual revenue that could be raised is estimated to be €25 million, it is perhaps more than that. It is significant.

The Minister indicates he hopes Committee Stage will be on 11 February in the Seanad. Is there any indication, once the Bill is enacted, when this can be implemented in practice and the State can start collecting the revenue?

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