Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

No, but it is contentious if one does not attain agreement. The Senator brought the Bill to the Minister's attention and the Minister, in his wisdom, can consider it. I am in two minds about it. At this point, I intend to vote against it. As far as I know, we will not be accepting it. However, the issue may arise again, in respect of lotteries, for example.

The lottery Act prohibits people under 18 years from participating in the national lottery. I do not know whether this is observed at all locations. The national lottery also poses a risk because it is very addictive. Scratch cards are very addictive.

I do not genuinely believe that a youth who goes to a rural race meeting with his or her family and places a bet of a few euro under supervision is at risk. In most cases, young people who go to race meetings do not go on their own but under the supervision of their families. It is with the consent of their parents that they place a bet of €1 or €2. I do not know if we should abolish this form of rural fun.

The next activity we will try to ban will be coursing and thereafter we will try to ban racing because the horses are under pressure.