Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish him well in his endeavours to deal with some very challenging issues. I am very conscious of the very close attachment of the Irish people to the national lottery. Indeed, I know a few people from my own locality who became millionaires as a result of playing the national lottery. I commend Senator O'Donnell for her robust contribution and for challenging us to examine whether it is a good idea to lease out the national lottery for the next 20 years. I wish we were not in a situation where we have to consider new arrangements for this national asset but the fact is that, as a country, we are broke. We must look at new and innovative ways of raising funds for major projects, including the new national children's hospital. We all want to see that hospital built as quickly as possible.

The Minister has no discretion in terms of putting the licence for the national lottery out to tender, as part of the renewal process. He does have discretion, however, in terms of the arrangements that are put in place for the operator of the new licence. I believe that 20 years is too long and that a ten-year licence would be more appropriate. I know that would mean that the up-front payment would not be as significant but our economy will change considerably in the course of the next ten years and in that context, a shorter time period than the one being considered by the Minister would be appropriate.

I welcome that the good causes will be protected because in every parish and rural community there is evidence of the contribution National Lottery money has made to community centres, playing pitches, swimming pools and every possible public amenity one can think of. Reference has been made to online gambling and we need a major debate on the scourge of online gambling which is increasing. We need much more control of how it is operated. In most cases the State receives absolutely no dividend from online gambling which is free of tax. Unfortunately many people are gambling beyond what they can afford. While that is a matter for another day, the issue has been raised here today.

Senator Norris suggested that the provisions of the Bill were not in the interests of the people. What Minister would want to do anything that would not be in the national interest, particularly with a national asset? What the Minister, Deputy Howlin, is attempting to do here is in the national interest. We would prefer if An Post could continue to operate it. I would love if An Post had sufficient resources to compete for the licence. Only when it is put out to tender will we discover what interest there is in running the national lottery for the next 20 years - or ten years, as I would prefer.

I hope the Minister can give some assurances that national lottery agents will not see any erosion in the commission rates they receive as a result of the change in the licensing arrangements. What will happen to the existing staff in the National Lottery organisation? What guarantees will they have?

I will be supporting the Bill. I had some heated discussions outside the Chamber with Senator O'Donnell on the matter. I would much prefer if An Post continued to run it.