Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We all know that problem gambling can lead to a total breakdown of social cohesion. It is a problem. I understand where the Minister of State is coming from with that. I was one of those who lobbied on behalf of the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation, GAA clubs and all kinds of fundraising. Indeed, we have a fundraiser in my own parish at the moment, called "Do it for Declan". He is a young men who is 40 this Sunday. There will be a massive day in my own village of Newcastle in an effort to fundraise to help him to build his home. He has a severe health diagnosis and he needs all the support he can get. The support has been phenomenal. We thank them for that - a small committee in a small place. The Irish people are wonderful in how they rise to a situation like that and support it. "Do it for Declan", as I said, is happening this Sunday in Newcastle, my own village in Tipperary. There is also a GoFundMe page.

The worry was that many of these fundraisers would fall. I was a great supporter of the Jack and Jill Children Foundation, which is a wonderful organisation. Jonathan Irwin, who is deceased, Lord have mercy on him, and his wife, Mary Ann, set that up after their own tragic case. They needed specialist care and did not get it.

The Minister of State has often been stubborn with horse breeders in Tipperary and Wexford, his own county with some of his closest supporters. This is an industry that, while it might be flamboyant with huge issues and racetracks and everything else and everyone thinks big, the small trainers are in my area in Tipperary. We are renowned for them. They need to be respected, listened to and engaged with.

The Minister of State would not listen to any of them. I said on Second Stage that the iarTheachta and iarAire, the Minister of State's dad, who was a Minister, who is a keen race-goer and a keen supporter, attempted to talk to him but he said a blanket "No"". I think this Bill has been driven by Micheál Martin after the smoking ban which we all accept now was a good thing. The Minister of State seems to be on a solo run to do everything. You cannot make an omelette without breaking an egg but you do not need a sledgehammer to crack a chestnut either; this is the season of chestnuts for Hallowe'en. I am not satisfied with how the Minister of State has handled this Bill and that he would not listen to or take amendments or anything else. He was totally obstinate and stubborn, not realising the impact. We want to sort out problem gambling and deal with it because it is pernicious; it follows you to your bedroom or workplace on these instruments. We do not have to have a wide sweep that will damage one of the main flagship Irish industries which is recognised all over the world. I never go horse racing; very seldom. I have not attended horse racing meets in my life but I understand the employment, investment, training and opportunities given to young jockeys, families and communities, such as Rachael Blackmore and all those people. They did not come from nowhere. They had to be supported and have the facilities to allow them to train. We have fabulous facilities which we need to keep.

I would love to know the final make-up of the board. I detest all these authorities being set up. They are quangos - if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is a duck. They can overreach and it can be impossible to deal with them. There are unintended consequences and the Minister of State refuses to engage with the industry at any level, which is a serious wrong. Those people are enablers and invest their time, money and sweat and everything else. There are families who nurtured the horse racing industry at small levels and they need to be supported and protected. One size does not fit all; it is difficult. It is disappointing that the Minister of State refuses to engage or listen to any of the groups.

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