Written answers
Thursday, 2 October 2008
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Gaming Regulation
5:00 pm
Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will appoint an independent gambling regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32773/08]
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I published the Report Regulating Gaming in Ireland on 10 July last. The Report makes some 32 recommendations that have significant public policy implications regarding the future architecture of many aspects of gaming and betting in Ireland. The Report addresses the issues associated with establishing a revised regulatory framework for gaming in Ireland. As I said on the publication of the Report, we need to get things right in relation to our gaming and betting codes. In particular I want to ensure that betting and gaming activities are carried out within a responsible framework that recognises the reality of these activities, but which ensures they are properly managed, particularly as regards problem gamblers.
In my answer to Parliamentary Question Number 932 of Wednesday 24th September last, I set out the terms of reference of the Cross-Party Committee which I am setting up in order to reflect on and review the Report "Regulating Gaming in Ireland". I believe that the establishment of the informal Committee represents the best opportunity for identifying options for consideration by Government on the many complex inter-related issues in this area. It is an approach that offers the best guarantee that the interests of all elements in our society are taken into account from the beginning in an area of important public policy. The informal Cross-Party Committee is being asked specifically to take account of the recommendations made in the Report on the nature of the regulatory and licensing system proposed. I look forward to receiving the advice of the Committee in due course.
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