Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There has been a lot of debate about this issue and there has been engagement with the industry. A substantial proposal has been put forward and there is general agreement within the industry on it. The proposal obviously needs to be fully scrutinised. I make the point that this measure was not costed and that there will be unintended consequences as a result. It will hit small independent bookmakers in provincial towns in particular and will make them unviable. The Minister should consider initiating a review of this measure. He and his officials should engage directly with the parties concerned to come up with an alternative that would raise the same amount of money that the Minister wishes to raise through this measure. There is no doubt that the industry has done well over the years and that an increase in betting tax is merited to get more revenue from the industry, but it should be done in a different way. This alternative proposal should be robustly considered and, if it is found that it raises the amount of money the Minister has outlined, it should be taken on board. The only way to do that is to have a review, a report and engagement with the industry. I appeal to the Minister to give that his consideration.

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