Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The quarter 1 receipts and returns will show a big disparity because the independent bookmakers in which approximately 1,800 jobs are at risk have made the returns but have not been able to pay the 2%. I have raised this on several occasions with the Minister. I know we need to engage with the European Commission but I appeal to the Minister not to leave this until the autumn. If there is a way to signal to the industry that a change is coming, that will give them the confidence to go to their bank managers and hold on a little longer knowing they do not have to close down their shop. Many of these are in rural isolated communities. I would appreciate that.

See this speech in context