David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This amendment is to transpose part of Article 37, namely, the second paragraph of the fourth money laundering directive. The provision requires that managers and beneficial owners and providers of gambling services are fit and proper persons. The amendment inserts five new sections. It requires that anyone who is a person directing a private members' gambling club or a beneficial owner of such a club to hold a certificate of fitness. It will be an offence for such a person not to hold a certificate of fitness. The rest of the provisions set out the procedure for applying for a certificate. The application is made to An Garda Síochána. If a person does not reside in the State, then it is made to the Minister. A certificate can be refused if a person has been convicted of certain offences. The certificate lasts for three years. There is provision for an appeal to the District Court regarding the refusal to grant a certificate.

Amendments Nos. 7 and 8 are consequential and relate to the numbering of a different section. The committee will be aware of the wider work on gambling that the Government is undertaking. We have approved the establishment of an independent gambling regulator. I have chaired a working group of reform in this area which has recently completed this work. While broader proposals are being developed, these provisions will allow us to ensure that persons involved in this sector are fit and proper persons and that our EU obligations are met.