Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Cummins for explaining his concerns. The real competition for betting shops is not other betting shops, it is the Internet. One can bet online readily and easily and this legislation is aimed at protecting jobs and betting shops. It is logical to say that they should be allowed to open whenever they like if they can afford to do so. If they cannot afford to open at 7 a.m., they will not. If their competitors are online, the fewer restrictions and limits, the better.