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

Let me respond to Senator Norris's question. The national lottery is the big one, the sums of money are enormous. The rest of the money goes on prizes, administration and advertising. It is a major advertiser.

Senator Mark Daly has acknowledged that in order to offer a betting service in Ireland, one must be licensed. If one is licensed one has to pay taxes and licensing fees. Those companies pay licensing fees and taxes here, so they are actually contributing to the State in that way. It is a tiny element.

We might prevent the betting on the national lottery, but that will not prevent people from betting on the Italian lottery, the English lottery and all the other lotteries. It will just stop betting on the national lottery and people will continue to bet. This Bill was not designed initially to do that. While I agree that one can bring in amendments and change the Bill, the thrust of the Bill is different. I ask Members to wait until we bring the major legislation, which we are working very hard on and setting up a lottery, which is a mammoth task. The Senator is very astute in pointing out that it is a significant task.

The industry in all its manifestations states it wants regulation. It said that again in Farmleigh House a couple of weeks ago when more than 120 people attended a seminar and none said he or she did not want regulation. Everybody wants regulation. There is nobody pushing against it. We are getting no lobbying about not having regulation. The industry wants it. We are anxious to move it forward as quickly as we can, but it is a significant job of work. I want to get it right this time. I ask Senators, with respect, that we have debated this important issue but it is not a significant issue in the overall scheme of things. In the overall scheme, Senator Norris is correct, the national lottery is extremely successful, massive sums of money are being made compared with what this amendment will address, which is tiny.

I think this is not the Bill to do this. I hope that answers the questions.