Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator can take it that the Minister, Deputy Howlin, accepted Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan's amendment in the Dáil because he wanted the Government of the day to have the flexibility to provide some of this funding to areas related to the natural environment, as long as that is possible when the Government is looking at the pot of money that is available. I have had an engagement on this matter with some of the non-governmental organisations in the environment sector. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform are aware of this issue, which will be kept under review. We hope the new operation of the national lottery leads to an increase in lotto sales, as this will ensure a greater pool of money is available to be disbursed to good causes. This is something that will be kept under review. I will certainly relay the Senator's strong feelings to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.