Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I strongly support Senator O'Donovan's call for a debate on the PULSE system. The examples he has given the House this morning are very worrying. It would be a major injustice if somebody's access to employment or somebody's career prospects were endangered in any way simply because information of a minor nature is held on a computer system. The Minister for Justice and Equality needs to clarify the matter and assure the House that insignificant information about people that is stored on the PULSE system is not used in a prejudicial way.

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate with the relevant Minister - probably the Minister for Health - on the issue of gambling addiction at an early stage in the autumn session. I heard something worrying on the radio this morning. People in the UK can now access the Paddy Power gambling service online via Facebook. I am sure it is only a matter of time before people here can access it too. There needs to be a great deal of discussion on online gambling and the taxation of gambling activities. Many lives are being ruined by excessive gambling. There is anecdotal evidence of a close link between excessive gambling and suicide. We all know of many families that are in grave financial difficulties as a result of excessive gambling. A significant debate on this issue is needed because it has significant social and health implications for many people. When a calm atmosphere descends on this House again in the autumn, we should discuss how we can tighten the laws that govern online gambling, secure more taxation from such activity, make gambling less attractive and examine the significant health issues associated with gambling.