Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

People under 18 cannot go into a bookie's shop and place a bet. Likewise, people under 18 cannot play the lottery, yet children can legally place bets on the tote, which is a State-run body. This happens throughout the country on dog and horse racing tracks. Some people may say there is no harm in this, which may be true for the majority of children, but others can get hooked on gambling. This addiction has had a devastating effect on families.

Will the Leader ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to amend the Gaming and Lotteries Act, or other appropriate Act, to address this anomaly in the system? If children under 18 cannot place bets in bookies' shops or play the lottery they should not be allowed bet on the tote.

I must comment on last week's debacle.