Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On a point of order, and I will be as brief as possible, there is serious concern regarding this issue. My previous history with the Minister of State has demonstrated that he is a fair and honest person who will clarify something if it needs to be clarified. There is a serious concern among people who play bingo. Most of the voluntary groups I am familiar with in west Cork organise and play bingo to try to raise funds for the local hall or local charitable event. Those funds help to keep festivals going in places such as Goleen, Kilbrittain, Bandon, Clonakilty or wherever bingo games are held weekly. The worry now is that people had an expectation that if they had paid about €10 towards playing bingo, then they might get €7.50 or €8.50 back in prize money. That is all part of the fun and enjoyment people have with those games. These are difficult times and people look forward to their weekly outing to play bingo. The worry that they will only end up getting €5 back now and that will not make these events viable.

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