Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

I commend Senators O'Donnell and Mary Ann O'Brien on tabling this motion. It is an issue everyone will be thinking about because they will want to ensure it is done properly. People still remember the sick feeling of what happened with the sale of Telecom Éireann. It should be remembered the national lottery will not be a sale but a lease. There is a bad feeling about some privatisation. Personally, I believe the proposal with the national lottery is a good idea. I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, will relate to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that the competitive tendering process should be shorter for the same reason of online gaming and gambling. Up to 30% of lottery sales in the Scandinavian countries are online. The Minister stated he will to have introduce legislation to deal with the online aspect of the lottery. This will bring more online investment in the lottery and further proceeds to the company which purchases the licence. We must ensure this is factored into the tender.

Safeguards to prevent online gambling should be built into this legislation too. Gambling is an addiction and a serious issue for some. While we all want to ensure there is an online part of the lottery, we must ensure also people addicted to gambling are protected.

The national lottery provides funding to organisations which promote the Irish language. However, since 2009 funding for the language fund has decreased. On average, 64% of the overall fund comes through the national lottery. Irish language organisations want it ensured this funding allocation is protected in the tendering process and the fund will not be depleted in any way by the company that takes over the lottery. If a company from outside the country wins the tender, the Irish language will not be its priority. It also would not be categorised as a charity. It is important this is written down in the initial stages. With the new online aspect of the lottery, I would prefer if the licence was for ten years rather than 20 years. I am glad the Minister said moneys for the children's hospital will be ring-fenced, a hospital which we need immediately.