Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wait with bated breath to hear what the Minister of State has to say about private clubs, which have been raised before me by colleagues whom the Cathaoirleach already mentioned. However, it is time that gambling was taken seriously.

There was engagement with Senator Lombard on advertising. I have an amendment in this regard, amendment No. 116, which is also not grouped, and I want the direction of the Cathaoirleach on whether we are going to discuss the advertising of gambling now. I agree 100% with Senator Lombard. I will not repeat what he said in case Senator Ward gives out to me. Previously in this House, during the Covid pandemic, I mentioned that parents were coming to me about explaining what gambling was to their six- and seven-year-olds. That is on the record of the House, so maybe Senator Lombard was copying what I said at the time.

With regard to gambling advertising, we have introduced a watershed in this Bill. It does not go far enough, however. It begins at 9 p.m. and will not cover what Senator Ward referred to, which is late night advertising, nor will it cover the bingo advertising that Senator McDowell mentioned, because 9 p.m., being the time people settle down to look at programmes on television, is when they are hit with the advertisements. We need a 24-hour ban. We have an amendment in that respect and I hope to get to speak about it shortly. This was brought up by another Member and I felt it only right to contribute.