Eamonn Coghlan (Independent)

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Howlin. This is my first opportunity to say a few words in the Seanad in his presence. I welcome Senator O'Donnell's words and her motion. However, I am not sure I agree with the motion or support it, in particular having heard the Minister's response that this is not a sale of the national lottery but a tendering process for the licence. I remember in 1983 or 1984 the then Minister of State, Mr. Donal Creed, with responsibility for schools building and sport, who during the momentous occasion after the World Championships in Helsinki made a presentation to me on behalf of the people of Ireland of a beautiful piece of Waterford crystal. During the conversation on that day there was a debate about the forthcoming lottery that was being introduced into the country. At the time, 25 years ago, there were many debates and arguments on whether a lottery should be introduced into this country similar to the debates currently ongoing about whether to allow gambling.

However, my understanding in 1983 to 1986, before it became law and was formally introduced, was that the lottery would be ring-fenced for sports and arts. My only disappointment was that I personally did not gain in the same way as contemporary athletes from lottery funding but sports has gained immensely. While money went to sports and arts, it went beyond that to welfare, health, culture, heritage and the Irish language. Senator Mary Ann O'Brien referred to the fact that she is not aware of one single project that she can recall that has benefited from the national lottery. I somewhat agree with her because the national lottery does not pride itself on promoting properly to the people of this country what the money from the lotto tickets people buy week in and week out has achieved. I am aware through my work with the Irish Sports Council that the National Aquatic Centre has benefited from it. We brought the Special Olympics to this country with its help and the Aviva Stadium has benefited from lottery funding.

It is approximately nine weeks before the Olympic Games take place. Through the work of the Irish Sports Council, the likes of Katie Taylor, Derval O'Rourke and all the athletes participating in the Olympic Games have been funded by the national lottery in recent years. If I was to estimate the amounts involved, Ms Taylor has probably gained funding to the tune of €250,000 in sponsorship from the national lottery, which is a phenomenal achievement. Only last week when she won the World Championships, someone asked her whether she would turn professional and she said that she is making more money as an amateur than those involved in the professional ranks. That is indicative of the support that the national lottery has given Ms Taylor as well as all the other sports people.

The national lottery has helped to develop local sports partnerships in almost every town in the country. It has also supported the women in sports campaign. The national lottery has made a great contribution to Irish life and, in particular, sport. However, now we are debating whether the licence should be sold or if it should remain in the hands of the Government. My question to the Minister is whether research has been done on the sale of the lottery to private interests in other countries and, if so, what are the results. The lottery is going out to tender. According to The Irish Times there is potential to raise €500 million as a result of a successful bid for the licence. If An Post is the successful bidder for the licence and the cost to it will be €500 million, where will the money come from? Will it come from the Government, taxpayers and the people of this country? I would like to know the answer to that. However, from an economic and business perspective if it is to come from a private agency from within or outside of this country that will be €500 million extra into the coffers of the Irish people from which we can benefit. I am in favour of allowing this licence to go to tender in the future.