Results 8,301-8,320 of 9,753 for speaker:Terry Leyden

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: It would be helpful——

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: On the Order of Business, I am referring to the long-stay care repayments information helpline and the response I received this morning to two calls to that line. I also logged on to www.hse.ie and I received the national——

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: I have a question.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: I have a very important point to make.

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: I welcome the Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, to the House. I will not give a full list of my requirements under the sports capital fund, which is funded by the national lottery, at this time. I congratulate the Minister on his excellent work on the sports capital fund, which is of great importance and significance. The Minister has brought a fresh approach to all aspects of his portfolio —...

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: It was an excellent Bill. I compliment Senator Cummins on spotting a possible anomaly in this matter. If my party were inclined to support the Bill, I would acknowledge that it is well worded and prepared. I compliment the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and all those associated with the production of the Bill. They should be commended on their efforts. It is something of a killjoy Bill,...

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: I am too modest to say that. I will let others say that in future.

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: Indeed. We will leave it——

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: I will leave a question mark over my comment. I will allow others to work it out.

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: The racecourse is a supervised environment. I understand that on-course bookmakers at race meetings cannot take bets from people under the age of 18.

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: I do not think that has been clarified in the debate to date.

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: I accept the word of the Minister, who has clarified the matter for me. I appreciate that there are difficulties because bookmakers cannot take bets from those under the age of 18, whereas the tote, which is controlled by the State, can take such bets. I suppose Senator Cummins has introduced a little idea all right. We are in danger of adopting a "nanny state" approach of protecting...

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: Perhaps the Opposition is grasping at straws.

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: The point is——

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: I have complimented the Senator on introducing the Bill, which has been the subject of a great deal of thought and consideration on his part. I am sure the Minister will take into account everything the Senator has said in due course, if this matter comes up for consideration. Where does one draw the line when protecting people?

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: I am adopting a simple and honest approach. I see young people betting when I go to the races in Roscommon. I am not a gambler — I do not bet at all. I do not understand the suggestion that one will become addicted to gambling if one places a bet of €1. One will normally lose one's bet anyway. One way to ensure one does not become addicted to gambling is to lose one's bets at Roscommon or...

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: Will people be expected to produce their credentials at a window in such circumstances?

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: Bookies are out in the field and can look around the place easily. Perhaps some Opposition Members have been at such race meetings. If so, they will note that the openings in the windows are very small.

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: Yes, that is a very good point. To be honest, I have no major difficulty with this issue. In fairness to Senator Cummins, he is serious about it and I do not want to detract from his concerns. If tote betting causes people to become addicted to gambling, the Bill must be regarded as meritorious in its approach.

Seanad: Totalisator (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Terry Leyden: No, I accept that it has merit but it is going a step too far by protecting everyone from everything. It is very hard to put a finger on the central issue of this Bill. It came out of nowhere and I was quite amazed when I received it. I first believed it was a Government Bill and that it was about raising the cost of the minimum bet at race meetings, allocating extra funding to the...