Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

1. In page 41, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following:“40. The Minister shall, within 3 months of the enactment of this Act, lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on measures that will be undertaken to protect vulnerable people from engaging in harmful gambling and the manner in which remote betting intermediaries must assist in this.”.

I mentioned this amendment on a previous occasion and I have retabled it. This amendment calls for the Government to lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas within three months of the enactment of the Act, which we support, a report on the measures which will be undertaken to protect vulnerable people from engaging in harmful gambling and the manner in which remote betting intermediaries must assist in this. When the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, was in this House last week, we sought an update on the Gambling Control Bill and its progress and we were given a commitment on it. This is crucially important. I know Senator Cummins, as Leader of the House, agrees that we were hoping for both Bills to be introduced in tandem. The amendment is clear and makes sense. I will not delay the House on that basis.I would like Minister of State to advise the status of, and the progress that has been made on, the gambling control Bill.