Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when it is intended to publish the report of the casino regulation committee which was submitted to Government in April 2007; if it is intended to proceed with the plan to establish an informal committee from Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to consider the report and related matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27058/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to replies to Questions Nos. 124 and 194 of 28 May 2008 and Question No. 2 of 17 April 2008, which set out the position in connection with this and related matters.

The casino regulation committee completed its report in April 2007. It is a lengthy document that deals with a range of complex and inter-related public policy issues including Internet gambling. Neither the Government nor I have adopted any views on the report. Indeed, because the report in question makes 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 any new regulatory regime for the gaming area.

My predecessor had proposed publishing the report of the casino committee — Regulating Gaming in Ireland — in conjunction with the establishment of an informal cross-party committee to examine that report and the wider aspects of gaming and gambling. The report is ready for publication but, like my predecessor, I consider that this is an area where cross-party consensus would be not only desirable from the outset but would help in mapping the way forward so that the interests of all elements in our society are taken into account from the beginning in an area of important public policy. This is important because there are widely diverging views held on this subject not just between parties, but within parties in this House.

My aim is to ensure that gaming activities are carried out within a responsible framework that recognises the reality of those activities, the changed environment within which these activities now take place, including on the Internet, but which also ensures that 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.

My clear preference is to proceed on the basis of agreement to establish a cross-party committee and to publish the report within the framework of that committee. However, due to the delay in establishing the informal cross-party committee I have decided to go ahead with the publication of the casino regulation committee report — Regulating Gaming in Ireland — imminently in advance of finalisation of the informal cross-party committee. I welcome all observations on the report. As it is still my intention to proceed with the establishment of the committee the invitation to the Labour Party for a representative to participate on the committee remains open. This approach presents an opportunity to Members of the Oireachtas to contribute, at the important policy formulation stage, to the future architecture of gaming. This is the best way forward.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Why does the Minister want the cover of an all-party committee?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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This report refers to an important policy area. The Oireachtas has not addressed it since 1956. There has been little legislative change in this area. The Oireachtas has passed it off. There were a number of reports during the time when Deputy Rabbitte was in government, including an unpublished task force report on the casino issue while Deputy Ruairí Quinn was Minister for Finance. The Government decided not to proceed.

This is a substantial report and I will publish it within the next week or so. The all-party committee would be a way of coming to some consensus on the way in which we can manage gaming and betting while giving people an opportunity to examine the negative aspects of the proliferation of Internet gambling, for example. While the Government can take a view on it, it is better that it is handled on an all-party basis.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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There are a great many matters that have not been legislated for for a long time and where the law is out of date but the Minister does not come to the Opposition asking for its support and views in respect of these. What does "imminently" mean? The Minister has had the report since April 2007 and is now choosing to publish it as soon as the House rises. Does the Minister agree with his predecessor who said, in response to Deputy Charles Flanagan: "Any report should be matched on publication with definitive Government proposals for the implementation of the recommendations in it."?

Does the Minister agree it is urgent that the casino sector is regulated and that responsible operators of medium-sized casinos have been seeking this for a long time? It is desirable that they should be so regulated. If the Minister is publishing the report, what does it say about fixed odds betting terminals? What is the attitude of the Minister to that subject?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am not an expert in this area, as Deputy Rabbitte will understand, although he was not particularly sure about my history in respect of alcohol.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I have always seen the Minister as part of the Calvinist wing of the Fianna Fáil Party.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am not an expert on gaming, gambling and betting and I would defer to Members who are experts.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I would not bet on the Minister deferring to anyone in respect of any matter.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Perhaps that is a good thing, perhaps it is better that I am not an expert.

Regarding fixed odds betting terminals, I am very concerned about their implementation based on what I have read about them. Looking at the experience in the UK, particularly the research on the effect on people, it would be a serious move to implement them in Ireland. By and large, the report comes down against the implementation of them. I will publish the report some day this week. I do not in any way intend to show disrespect to the House by publishing it. We corresponded recently on this matter and the Deputy made a valid point that neither he nor his party has made a judgment on whether it wishes to participate in the committee until the report has been seen. This is a valid point. I will publish the report and he can make——

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Will the Minister go ahead and establish the committee?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I should think so, yes. I do not necessarily agree with my predecessor on bringing forward reports and us then dictating. It will depend on the circumstances. This area is complex and a great deal of analysis is required of the negative aspects of gaming and the proliferation of gaming and betting opportunities which exist. At the same time, we must understand this is a substantial industry employing 20,000 people.