Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for her contribution on section 3. While the Bill replicates many of the provisions of the National Lottery Act 1986, it is intended that the former will replace the latter. Therefore, section 3 provides for the repeal of the 1986 Act. Section 1(4) provides that a ministerial order to repeal the 1986 Act may provide for the repeal of different provisions on different days. Section 6(2) provides that notwithstanding its repeal, the provisions of the 1986 Act will continue to apply to the current licence as held by An Post National Lottery Company until the termination of that company.

Before the Government made a decision on this legislation, it considered an analysis of the options for the licence. The decision was based on that analysis. While it is correct to say the model and the appointment of a regulator are new, it is not unusual in other areas of State activity to appoint a regulator to supervise the operation of a licence. It is a more recent parliamentary device. The new model puts the regulator at the heart of the lottery. The Government's decision was made in the context of the current fiscal environment.

All we are doing in section 3 is providing for that, so that the long-term sustainability of the lottery adapts itself to that environment in the most efficient way possible.