Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to make one brief point. I am certainly anything but a spokesperson for gambling. I have been very anti-gambling. I am not in favour of gambling on mobile phones and other devices. It goes back to the example of the guy who wants to make a small bet and cannot afford the €6 to do the lottery on a Saturday evening. A point that seems to be glossed over is the fact that but for bookmakers and their support, we would possibly not have dog racing or horse racing industries in Ireland. That is the reality. Looking at any of the major or weekend-long events, but for the sponsorship that the events receive from the industry, they would not be there. It is one of the biggest industries that we have in Ireland. That must be taken into account.