Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am over 50 now David. Gambling with Lives is a charity in Northern Ireland that has begun an important pilot programme to bring the message of the problem of gambling addiction to young people in Northern Ireland, where it is a particular problem. We also know that it is a significant issue in the South. Senator Ward and others are to be commended for their Bill banning betting on the outcome of the national lottery, which proceeded last night, as is Senator Wall for his proposed Bill to restrict gambling advertising. However, there is a real danger that if we all say, as I am sure we all would, that we want to discourage gambling among younger people, we will be seen to talk out of both sides of our mouths as long as we do not bring forward the serious measures necessary to tackle gambling. The long-promised gambling regulator is second only to the long-promised electoral commission. The reality is that it is not enough to ban betting on the outcome of the national lottery. There is too much advertising of the national lottery on television. I understand that Senator Ward's excellent Bill has a carve-out that would allow gambling advertising around sporting events to proceed. That is the problem. I understand the issue. I think the betting tax is bringing in €100 million with nearly €80 million of that going to Horse Racing Ireland and 20% of the take going to the greyhound industry. Therefore, yes there will be a gap to be filled but we are either serious about the problem of gambling or we are not.

This is the moment when I am going to contradict myself briefly. Although one would not encourage anybody to embark on a career in gambling, the remarkable story of Barney Curley, who got the Human Dignity award in this House and went on to raise over €6 million for missionaries, hospitals and schools in Africa through his charity Direct Aid for Africa, will be remembered today at Bellewstown races, which I hope to attend. The famous Frankie Dettori will ride there. Direct Aid for Africa has raised over €75,000. That was a wonderful contribution made by a guy who made his living through gambling but who had a much more serious dimension to his life. I recommend that people listen to Frankie Dettori's interview with Clare Byrne yesterday where he talked about the wisdom and spoke quite openly about the religious and philosophical depths of Barney Curley. I said to myself that this must be what listening to RTÉ in the 1950s was like. Some producer in there was getting chest pains. It was such a positive presentation but it was really moving and I recommend that people listen to it because it was about one amazing contribution by one very fine man and I am very glad we did honour him in this House in 2015.