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

On behalf of Fianna Fáil, I echo the Tánaiste's sentiments and wish everyone a very happy Christmas and the best of luck for 2016.

Time is tight and I know Deputies want to come in, but I want to raise two Bills with the Tánaiste, the first of which is the gambling control Bill 2015. The former Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, published a Bill in July 2013 proposing to establish an office of gambling control. This is a serious issue because more than €1 billion is placed in bets annually in Ireland. It is becoming easier to place bets, as much gambling takes place online. Problem gambling can devastate families and lives. The matter needs to be dealt with and yet it has not been given the serious attention it deserves. The initial Bill of 2013 seems to have fallen by the wayside. There is a new Bill, which I understand is included in section B. I take it, therefore, that it will not be dealt with in the lifetime of this Dáil. Will the Tánaiste clarify that matter?

The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2015 was published last April, but it has not progressed since. It proposes important reforms to the schools' admissions policy but is listed in Schedule D. Will that Bill be debated here before the general election is called?

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