Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I, too, support calls for a debate in this Chamber on what has been ongoing since the weekend. As has been said, it is important that the international community come together and that we debate this matter in the House to determine where we can go. We have all seen the horrific videos and photographs online of innocents being destroyed in this conflict. I totally support what has been said to the effect that a debate in this House is warranted at this stage.

I wish to refer to the important ESRI report of last week on gambling.It is an issue I have spoken about previously in this House with colleagues right across the political spectrum. For the first time in a long time, we have seen the figures that those on the front line have been telling us about. There are 130,000 adults engaging in problem gambling, which basically means they are gambling with money they simply do not have. It is something that those on the front line have mentioned on previous occasions. They have been told that what they said was not the truth, but the ESRI has come forward with figures that it is standing over. The figures are reflected in the number of people coming to my clinics and to those of colleagues throughout the Houses to discuss problem gambling. It does not affect 130,000 people alone because it is said that a problem gambler affects up to six other people, be they family members, friends or indeed members of the community.

I appreciate the work being done by the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, on introducing a gambling regulation Bill, but we cannot sit idly by now. We must ensure the legislation comes before this House and proceeds as quickly as possible through the Lower House. We must see it implemented as quickly as possible. It is great to see the regulator in situ. I have spoken to her and have been at conferences where she has spoken, and I believe that we can make a difference for the 130,000 affected people, and indeed the 250,000 who have shown signs of problem gambling. It is a mental health issue and a public health issue, and it is something we need to address.

In the time left, I want to raise an issue that I know other public representatives have raised, namely the subject of a recent meeting I attended in Suncroft, County Kildare, organised by Tracey Clarke Kiely. It relates to public transport. The people of Suncroft are struggling with their current public transport because, simply put, it is not fit for purpose. They have a service that gets them into the urban centres of Newbridge and Kildare town at very awkward times such that they cannot do their business, participate in education, attend doctors' appointments or socialise. I have spoken to Local Link about this and it is very much on board. I ask that the Minister for Transport be invited to the House once again to discuss rural transport so the good people of Suncroft and the surrounding areas can get a transport system for themselves that is actually fit for purpose.