Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I was impressed by the speed and expediency with which the Government had the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2015 passed.

1 o’clock

This begs the question as to why the Government cannot address bigger problems we have been discussing here on and off, at Leaders' Questions and at other times, such as the Private Members' Bill put forward by the Tánaiste's colleague, Deputy Penrose, for a one year bankruptcy. This would stop much of the pain being suffered by people in this country. Why does the Government not grasp the ball Deputy Penrose has passed to it and fast-forward his Bill through the Dáil?

The intensity and frequency of advertising for online betting and gambling has increased. This is unacceptable. If the Tánaiste were to go to the Rutland Centre, which is supported by many of her colleagues, she would be told about the existence of a gambling addiction problem, as a result of accessibility through iPhones, iPads, laptops etc. This advertising should be stopped. I call on the Government to fast-forward a Bill to deal with this, as it did with the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill. That Bill provided for the listing of drugs for a technical reason. The Government could do this. It can show brilliance when it wants to.

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