Results 9,921-9,940 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (16 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: I am very pleased to have the opportunity to take Second Stage of the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 in Seanad Éireann.

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (16 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: The Bill seeks to address certain deficiencies in the conduct of gaming and lottery activities regulated under the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. Senators will agree that the provisions of the Act are, for the most part, outdated and require modernisation. The Bill proposes a number of interim reform measures for the licensing and regulation of gaming and lottery activities conducted under...

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (16 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: I thank colleagues for their observations and I look froward to further discussion on the legislation. The Bill I have proposed will have the effect of modernising and clarifying the provisions of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. As Senator Conway-Walsh said, it is time to update this outdated law. Of that there is no doubt. Everyone commented, and rightly so, on the reason we are not...

Seanad: Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (16 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: On the issue of the gambling prevalence study, it was a Department of Health study and, I understand, an all-Ireland study. I cannot comment on its findings here, but my colleague in the Department of Health may do that at another time. A new study for 2018 to 2019 is being carried out that will update the study's findings which were published recently, and it is hoped that will be to hand...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: This is a Second Stage speech.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: I thank the Chairman. I am very happy to have the opportunity this morning to inform the joint committee of the Government’s efforts and intentions on regulation and control of the gambling sector. I apologise for having to leave, but I would be quite happy to come back at any time to engage with the committee and to hear its views on this very important issue. Gambling activity...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: The Deputy is right in that the issue of problem gambling and gambling addiction is primarily a health issue. Even in jurisdictions with very strong regulation there is still problem gambling and addiction. Establishing a regulator will help and will bring as much fairness as possible to the industry and activities involved. If someone has a gambling addiction it is primarily a health...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: We have two studies in hand. One study, which has been published, looked at the prevalence of gambling in the whole island of Ireland in 2014 and 2015. Another study looking at 2018 and 2019 is ongoing. Our Department is part-funding that as well. That is the engagement. I have to be careful. The issue of addiction is a matter for the Department of Health, not for me.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: We can do our best to make it fair. We can look at things like glamorising, advertising etc. However if someone has a health issue it is a matter for the Department of Health.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: Obviously anything illegal is a cause of concern. At the risk of being criticised again by Deputy Chambers, I would like to point out that the Department of Justice and Equality is not responsible for the licensing and regulation of gambling. A lot of people do not appreciate this. The revised legislation will deal with issues of self-exclusion. It is not our area of responsibility, and-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: Legally we do not have responsibility for that. That is a fact. I have checked.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: Again, I cannot comment on an allegation like that. I just cannot do that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: The industry lobbying that has come to my attention has been to seek a regulator. Nobody has told me - or, as far as I know, the Department - that they do not want a regulator. There is an acceptance that we need a regulator and I am very anxious to have one. However, that is proving far more difficult and technical than I envisaged. I would love to have a regulator in place tomorrow....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: Apologies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: No. We are updating the 1956 Act. The Bill brings clarity to the area of local lotteries such as those in which many sporting clubs and community organisations partake. In 1956, there was much emphasis on circuses, carnivals and so on, but the position in that regard has totally changed. The Bill focuses more on what is happening now. It also updates legislation in respect of stakes and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: The Bill passed Second Stage in the Seanad last night. The section referred to by the Deputy is not changing the law as that provision is also contained in the 1956 Act. In any event, the private members' clubs are not licensed under the 1956 Act. I hope that there will be an opportunity shortly after Easter to bring the legislation before the committee for these issues to be further...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: I thank the Deputy for his questions. I cannot comment on whether a particular practice is illegal. For me to do so would potentially prejudice events that may take place afterwards, as we have seen in the past. I cannot state that a certain practice is illegal. I am not a judge and, with respect, neither is any of the committee members. Neither the Minister nor I directs the Garda...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: No, it does not work like that. Politicians cannot tell the Garda what to do. I am sure the Deputy understands this. We cannot direct the Garda to do "X", "Y" or "Z". The Commissioner makes those decisions. It is the same with the Revenue Commissioners. They are independent, as they should be. If I came in here and told the Deputy that I directed the Garda Commissioner to do "X", "Y"...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: No. The Deputy can believe whatever he wishes and I am sure he does. What I can say that is-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Regulation of Gambling Sector: Discussion (17 Apr 2019)

David Stanton: -----I cannot, do not and will not instruct the Garda to take any particular action in any particular area. It is independent.