Results 4,181-4,200 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

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.

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

David Stanton: As it should be.

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

David Stanton: In any event, I understand that private members clubs are not licensed under the 1956 Act. The provision to which the Deputy is referring is already in the 1956 Act. On the one hand, the Deputy is saying that the law should not be enforced and on the other, he is saying it should.

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

David Stanton: The Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill was in the Seanad last evening. The Gambling Control Bill will provide for licensed casinos. Private members clubs will be able to apply for casino licences under that. We have a Bill before the Seanad at the moment. Again, I do not want to pre-empt any debate that might occur there. It will come in here later on. No change will occur in the...

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

David Stanton: We have our own proposals based on the report to Government that was approved last March to set up a totally independent statutory authority with a lot more power and responsibility than that contained in the 2013 proposal, which we also debated here when I was Chairman of this committee. Since then, we have looked at it again. As I said at the beginning, we looked at what has happened in...

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

David Stanton: The debate in the Dáil on the Bill brought forward by Fianna Fáil was useful and I welcomed it. We did not oppose it because, strictly speaking, it does talk about setting up an office to regulate this. We have gone way beyond that in providing for a regulatory authority, which is a totally different kettle of fish. I do regret that it has taken this length of time. I would have...

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

David Stanton: We did take part in and funded the prevalence study. Another one is ongoing and we hope to be in a position to produce it at the end of this year. As I said earlier, the situation with regard to addiction and that side is a health matter and the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne. We work closely together on these issues but that is her remit and I do not want to...

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

David Stanton: I did say at the beginning of my remarks that the regulation of this area is very fragmented and that is why a regulatory authority will bring regulation together under one body. Again, I must stress that even countries with strong regulators still have problem gambling and addiction. That is a health matter and the expertise resides there. We can work to make it fairer for people who get...

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

David Stanton: As I said at the beginning, I would be quite happy to come back at any stage for a more substantial debate on this issue. Any constructive comments or suggestions are most welcome when it comes to this very complicated area. The Deputy spoke about banning profitable betting and information. It is envisaged that in respect of banning profitable gambling, the revised Bill will include...