Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support the Bill. The project that has been mentioned most in this debate is Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub. I invite the Minister of State to visit it some time. I am a huge promoter and supporter of it and was involved in it from day one. Senators Dolan and Carrigy would be well aware of it as well.

There is no question that the national lottery is a very good system. I acknowledge that it is a form of gambling. We cannot stop a person buying 20 lotto tickets in the shop and I see it happening at times and the same people doing it. In general, the fact that so much of the money goes back into really good causes and rural Ireland must be acknowledged. I was asked to answer a few questions over a period of time in a number of surveys regarding the national lottery. One thinks one knows everything about it but one does not. That is a story for another day.

I will support the Bill. I could be wrong but I am not so sure there is a massive issue regarding people going into bookies and spending a lot of money on the national lottery, where they can only win limited money. I acknowledge it exists but I wonder whether it is as widespread as we think. Where I do agree with Senator Ward is the fact that when one does support the national lottery, quite a percentage of that money goes back into the system for the good causes all over the country for which we all lobby and which we are all very proud to see the money coming to. That is very important. To be honest, the Irish people have a good respect for the national lottery. I have never had anybody lobbying me and giving out about the national lottery or the fact that it involves a bit of gambling. Yes, as with other Members, people contact me constantly about online gambling, which is the biggest problem with which we must deal. It is good to see some of the people in the bookmaking business getting very concerned about that and acknowledging that there is a big problem. I will support the Bill. It is a very good discussion to have. I reiterate that I do not think it is a massive problem but I acknowledge that it is there. We must always look at the good done by the national lottery and support it.