Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 2: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the report of the casino regulation committee, which was submitted to Government in April 2007 has not been published, having regard, in particular, to his statement to the Houses of the Oireachtas on 4 March 2008 that it would be published within a fortnight; the main provisions of the report; his views on the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14083/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to publishing the report of the casino committee, entitled Regulating Gaming in Ireland, and am disappointed I was not in a position to do so within the timeframe previously envisaged. The report is ready for publication and it is my intention to publish it as soon as the arrangements I envisage for advancing the issues highlighted in it are settled.

The lengthy report deals with a range of complex and interrelated public policy matters. The Government has not adopted a view on the report. Because it made recommendations that have significant public policy implications, it was clear that it would require further detailed analysis before Government could be asked to make a formal decision on introducing a new regulatory regime for the gaming area. I considered that the best way to deal with the issue, therefore, was to publish the report and refer it to an informal all-party committee. In this regard I was grateful Deputy Seán Barrett, with the agreement of his party leader, consented to act as chairperson of that committee. The Deputy will be aware I also raised the formation of such a committee with his party leader and, briefly, with him. Subject to agreement, I envisage such a committee can be established without delay and the report published within the framework of that committee.

Progress in this area can best be achieved through cross-party consensus. There can be no question of delaying the making of key decisions that will have profound implications for the type of society we want to create for our citizens in the years ahead. We need to get things right with any new gaming code that emerges from this process. I want to ensure such activities are carried out within a responsible framework that recognises the reality of those activities and the changed environment within which these activities now take place, including on the Internet, and which ensures they are properly and responsibly managed, particularly as far as those who may experience problems as a result of their participation in gaming activities are concerned. The all-party approach presents an opportunity to Oireachtas Members to contribute, at the important policy formulation stage, to the future architecture of gaming in Ireland. It offers the best guarantee that the interests of all elements in our society are taken into account from the beginning in an area of important public policy. I note that Deputy Rabbitte let out the hare of the fixed odds betting terminals in a statement a few weeks ago. I am hesitant to publish the report in advance of the formation of a committee, but I can confirm that the report specifically recommends that we do not introduce fixed odds betting terminals.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I am long enough in this House to know that when a Minister wants to embrace me in an all-party committee, it is time to reach for my gun because something very unpopular is usually in contemplation. I am surprised to hear the Minister say the Government has no views on the report. The Government received the report in April 2007, so that should be long enough to form a view. When did we start legislating on an all-party basis? The point of being fortunate enough to be in the Minister's position is that he initiates legislation and this House expresses a view on it.

The Minister promised on 4 March that he would publish the document within a fortnight. Why did he not keep that pledge? I put it to him that it must be because of the approach of the bookmakers to the Government with a view to the introduction of these modern day slot machines. These machines are woefully addictive and are described across the water as the cocaine of gambling. Given the complexities that confront his Department, is legislating for the introduction of slot machines the most productive use of the Minister's time? Slot machines are addictive for young working class males in particular. There is no point in telling me that the report states that they should not be implemented, because I do not have the report. The Minister told me he would have it in two weeks on 4 March, but we have not had it yet. Now he tells us it is ready for publication, but used the felicitous phrase that it was subject to the issues in it being resolved. Theoretically that gives the Minister about five years and he can shelter behind that phrase during that time.

When will the report be published? Will he legislate for slot machines or not?

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The reason the report is not being published is because Deputy Rabbitte issued a statement which suggested that the Labour Party would not participate in any all-party committee on this matter. I am very anxious to publish the report and we should be able to secure all-party agreement on the consideration of a report. The reason I advocated an all-party approach to this issue is that previous experience in this House suggests that it is one of those issues that cuts across party lines.

Deputy Rabbitte returned to the question of bookmakers. I have been exceptionally careful on this particular issue with regard to people to whom I have spoken. I am extremely conscious of the fact that strong views are held on all sides of this particular issue. Since taking up office, I have been scrupulous in not holding discussions with any of the interest groups advocating a change in the law in the area of gaming and lotteries. I have had no meetings with any group involved in this particular area. My main objective is to arrive at a code which recognises the fact that adults gamble and that for some it is an enjoyable past-time, but equally that addiction to gambling has the potential to ruin lives. I accept all those propositions, but the current position outlined in the report is that this is an area where parts of the law are unworkable. I reiterate that the Government has no view on the report because it is anxious to see whether an all-party approach could generate a consensus in this area.

The report specifically recommends against the fixed odds betting terminals, the slot machines to which Deputy Rabbitte referred. These machines have been introduced in the UK and have resulted in a grave increase in gambling addiction. The report specifically recommends against that.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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It is news to me that my statement was the cause of the report not being published. I only made my statement when I read in a publication that an all-party committee was to be established and that a colleague in the House was invited to be its chairman. I received no invitation at all.

Is the Minister in favour of legislating for these modern day roulette style touch-screen betting machines in bookmakers' shops? Bringing in legislation or otherwise is his responsibility. Will he take any action in respect of the 1,000 people employed in casinos at the moment? The casinos are completely unregulated and the owners want them to be regulated as far as I am aware. In an earlier reply, the Minister said there were no breaches detected of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956, and I take his word. However, they need to be regulated.

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The policy of the Government has been to give all the parties in the House a say in the shape of any such legislation. That is the Government's position on the issue. In noting the report and approving its publication, the Government made it contingent on the establishment of such a committee. I am anxious to move these matters forward and I hope that Deputy Rabbitte can re-examine this issue and consider whether he can see his way to participating in this committee and making his points of view in that committee for the shaping of any legislation. I agree with the Deputy that legislation is required in this area.