Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not wish to be argumentative, but I must point out to the House that in the 1998 Finance Act changes were made to allow these opening hours from April to August. Since 1998 nobody has suggested these hours should be restricted to the summer period and I find it peculiar, from a legislative point of view, that we say it is acceptable to open a bookmaker's shop from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on 31 August but not on 1 September. The same inconsistency applies when March gives way to April. The Houses of the Oireachtas already allow them to open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. from April to August. I do not mean to be provocative, but if the Houses state it is permissible to do so in April, I am at pains to understand how it could be inappropriate to do so in March. This amendment introduces consistency all year round. I do not believe every bookmaker's shop in every town and village will open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. as I would question the viability of such a business. I take the point about broader societal issues and think there is a need for a debate on this issue. I hope that debate will happen in dealing with the Betting (Amendment) Bill in this House.