Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To comment again, there is a big difference between beef and lamb and society. What we are talking about here is society.

It is ludicrous to have bookmakers' shops open until 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. on a Sunday. They are open every day of the week and although I realise they must compete with online gambling operators, some people are in them morning, noon and night. If they have the money, they will stay in them and even if they do not, they might stay there anyway. I have heard families speak about this issue on many occasions at my clinics. They say they cannot get the man in question out of the bookie's and the scenario is similar to trying to get some people out of a pub. Families deserve a break and these shops should be closed on a Sunday, at least, as it would make no difference to their business. The vast majority of independent and big high street bookmakers have Internet gambling services that are run on account. It would be a retrograde step for society to allow bookmakers' shops to open on a Sunday.