Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This would not be the first item of legislation ever written that had something tagged onto the end of it to protect the people of the State. I do not for one moment suggest that a warning in betting shops and on online gambling sites will deter people or reduce the level of addiction. However, as a State and as a people, we have an obligation to warn people of the dangers and to make people aware, like the drink aware advertising.

Senator Mary Ann O'Brien referred to receiving messages on her mobile telephone. Families are being destroyed by this. Senator Maurice Cummins made a point I had not thought about. I have been on many racecourses and I have seen children with their few pennies at the tote office. We have an obligation to do something about this and this is the first chance we have had to do so. I am not aware of similar legislation anywhere in Europe. Ireland was the first country in the world to lead with the smoking ban and this is the opportunity to do the same with betting.

Putting the problem in context means making people aware of the issues. The case mentioned a few moments ago involved a family finding out about a gambling addiction. Generally, by then it is too late and the family's assets are already burned. The worst case scenario is that some loan shark is in the middle of this. We have an opportunity here and I will push this as far as I can. I will resubmit an amendment on Report Stage if it is not accepted.