Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Quinn covered it. I could bet on my phone sitting here right now. That is the reality. I have dealt with many independent bookmakers and Senator Cummins has been raising issues as I have in relation to the betting tax Bill to provide for a level playing pitch particularly for independent bookmakers against the multiples and offshore online betting. In fairness, the Government is tackling that issue and will be bringing in taxes in that sector.

Regarding opening hours, the amendment does not provide that a bookmaking shop has to open between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. I am thinking of events like the Breeders' Cup, which generally takes place late on a Saturday evening. I come from a horse racing area myself in north County Dublin. Horse racing is big and people like to have a bet. As with anything, including alcohol, there will be some people who need assistance, but we do not need to be so proscriptive. The proposed provision is sensible. While I understand Senator Cummins's concerns in this regard, shops do not have to open between those times. If a bookmaker wants to open until a later time, it is up to the employer to work that out with the staff. They are competing with online betting where people can bet 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long if they want. They can bet on anything and everything, including politics and the next election on a constituency by constituency basis.