David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to express concern at the Government's plans for developing casinos in this country. They are giving licences for 40 casinos. There is great hypocrisy in this. We are told that it would be a mistake to legalise drugs and that if they had the opportunity, they would not have legalised alcohol or tobacco, but here they legalise another highly addictive pursuit. This is so recognised that just as tobacco companies hypocritically set up organisations to combat smuggling and so on, the gambling industry now contributes to centres for addiction for the people that they victimise. We now have a situation where 40 casinos are going to be allowed into Ireland. We do not know where they will come from. It is quite likely that organised crime will be involved. It is a great comment on this Government that we have gone from a casino situation with the gambling banks to a situation where we are going to try to run the country on casinos. That is absolutely lamentable.