Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann", and substitute the following:"welcomes the decision of the Government to hold a competition for the next licence to operate the National Lottery, in accordance with EU legal requirements;
notes the publication of the National Lottery Bill in December 2012 which, once passed by Dáil Éireann, will come before the Seanad;
recognises the major achievements to date of the National Lottery and the widespread support of the Irish public for the Lottery;
recognises the need for the State in the current economic situation to pursue opportunities to generate additional revenues that do not impact on taxpayers;
welcomes the fact that the next licence will involve the ongoing provision of a significant level of funding for good causes each year; and
welcomes the fact that the new licence will also involve an upfront payment to the State which will enable the construction of the new National Paediatric Hospital to progress without further delay.".

The Bill has passed Second Stage in the Dáil and to the best of my knowledge Fianna Fáil did not oppose the principles of the Bill but had questions on regulation and the level of and commitment to the upfront payment to the children's hospital. It certainly did not oppose the Bill or the proposal.

We all agree the national lottery has served us well since 1987. However, the licence is due for renewal - and I use this word because this is what is happening.

The Minister is required under EU competition law to advertise and seek expressions of interest. The measure to seek an upfront payment is welcome. I am sure that the Minister, when he has the opportunity, will state here when a new paediatric hospital will be built.

I note Senator O'Donnell's and the other Independent Senators' proposal to establish a dedicated weekly lottery or draw. I would question that proposal because it could take a long time to establish. Do we have the necessary resources? We need the money now for the children's hospital.

The licence is due to be granted and not necessarily to the highest bidder as certain conditions are attached to it. That may not attract the number of investors hoped for. When the licence was offered for renewal in 1999, An Post ended up the only body to win the licence because two interested parties withdrew. An Post will have the option to bid for the current licence and I wish it success. The preferred bidder will be welcome. The national lottery contributes to good causes and the money has been very beneficial to communities. We can all quote the advantages of it and the good causes that have received necessary funding which would not have existed only for the lottery. To data the national lottery has had the support of the people. It has operated well. There has never been any question about the operation of the fund by An Post, the draw and its system of collecting moneys. We can all say that it has done very well, but now it is being opened up for renewal.

I noticed the figure of ¤500 million was mentioned but I could not find it. I do not think the figure is correct. I do not think that the Minister or the Government has ever recommended or stated an expected figure. The licence is open to the market and we will see what we get. I congratulate the Minister and the Government for their innovative proposal in terms of providing funding for a children's hospital. The proposal means that money will be collected upfront. The licence will not be given away. It is an opportunity for somebody to operate the licence for 20 years. That licence will still be held by the State. Perhaps a consortium, individual or an organisation such as An Post will operate it on behalf of the people whom I hope will continue to support it. Contributions have decreased in recent years which reflects the economic climate.

In 1987, when the national lottery was established, it was at a time of economic difficulties. It was an opportunity to provide funding for good causes and necessary developments across the country. The scheme has worked well and I hope that it will continue to do so. I wish the Minister well with the development and his proposals.