Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Craughwell has explained better than I ever could why this amendment is necessary. We had a good debate last week when a different Minister of State was in the House. We are trying to improve this legislation. Long before Senator Craughwell was elected, I and Senator Cummins had been raising issues about the Betting (Amendment) Bill. We wanted this legislation before the House for a variety of reasons. It is not, as some people have suggested, to create a nanny state in any way, shape or form. One of the reasons we sought to have the Bill relates to the betting side. It would provide some controls, bring extra funds to the Exchequer and provide a level playing pitch for independent bookmakers. They are closing every week throughout the country. It would give them an opportunity to stand up against the multiples.

I thank the Minister of State for his response. The response he gave, however, related strictly to betting rather than gambling. I know this Bill will regularise online betting but it does not do the same for online gambling or for the gambling machines to which Senator Craughwell adverted. We reckon there are approximately 6,780 of these machines in the country. The machines are not necessarily the problem. If someone is placing a bet, I would rather he did so at a bookies. People working in local bookie's shops know their punters. They can decide, for example, that a person has done enough on a given day and should not put on another bet. However, that cannot be done online.

Last week, I raised a matter with the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh. Bookies shops are now operating roulette wheels, virtual betting and virtual racing. It is possible to watch virtual dog and horse racing, that is, computer-generated races, when there is no racing on.