Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Finance the progress made in devising a scheme to collect a levy or tax within the gambling industry to fund the horse and greyhound racing industry; if it is intended to bring proposals to Government in the near future; if an all-party committee as previously suggested is to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25898/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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During the Finance Bill, I indicated that discussions would commence as to how best betting duty might be applied in the future, in the context of the 2010 budget including looking at the UK's gross profit tax model. A number of different proposals in that regard have been received from various sectors of the industry. I also indicated that it is my intention to widen if possible the tax base on which betting duty would be applied. My officials are continuing to explore all options on an ongoing basis.

In exploring options for widening the tax base on which betting duty could be applied, my aim is to generate revenue to fund public expenditure generally, rather than to fund one specific item of expenditure. The Deputy will be aware the 2009 budget publications announced that arrangements would end whereby the annual payment to the horse and greyhound racing fund would be automatically calculated by reference to the previous year's betting duty or the contribution to the fund in the year 2000 adjusted for inflation.