John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

At any given time in horseracing, approximately 25% of the operating terminals on track are of the self-vending type, which are unmanned by tote staff and located in all areas throughout the racecourse. Consequently, the proposed amendment to the Totalisator Act 1929 would render the policing of this amendment to the Act unworkable.

I thank Senator Cummins and his colleagues for raising this matter. However, in the circumstances, I am unable to accept the proposed amendment to the 1929 Totalisator Act. As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform I noted the observation in the 2000 report, Review of the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956-86, that no age limit applies to betting on the tote at racecourses or greyhound tracks. However the report's authors acknowledged that the Totalisator Act did not lie within the terms of reference and merely expressed the view that it is an issue which should, for the sake of consistency, be addressed.