Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The lack of action in this area is difficult to justify. As Deputy O'Callaghan said, the first Bill was brought forward by the then Minister, Deputy Shatter, more than seven years ago now. The scale of the harm that gambling can do has been laid bare before the public in recent times. In many instances, it has devastated families and individuals. There is a clear need for action. Ireland is recognised as a jurisdiction that is practically the wild west in terms of lack of regulation. Previous Ministers and the Department in previous iterations recognised that lack of regulation and the need for legislation, and yet it has not progressed. There is a wide consensus in society, even within the industry but most of all among families devastated by problem gambling, that this needs to be dealt with. Gambling is something can have a place, provided it is properly regulated. However, that is not the case now and unless we legislate, people will continue to have free rein.

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