Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for taking on board a significant part of the debate last night. Senator Malcolm Byrne and I sought the insertion of a reference to the regulation of gambling in the Bill. I accept what the Minister said, which is that the lead Department with responsibility for this is naturally the Department of Justice, which foresees the creation and implementation of that Bill in respect of gambling late this year. Notwithstanding that, the point that we made is that the sphere in which gambling is now most prevalent is online. As the Minister rightly said, it permeates many different public bodies too. The Bill acknowledges and refers to that. The coimisiún will now seek to reflect the policies of the Minister in respect of gambling, which is significant, because if nothing else, it makes sure that the coimisiún and Department will work hand-in-hand with another Department to make sure there are no loopholes available to this multi-billion euro industry which will do anything to harm young people, in particular. It is our responsibility as a State to protect them and all people. The Leas-Chathaoirleach shares that ethos too. I thank the Minister for making sure that is reflected on the Bill.