John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of initial expressions of interest in the National Lottery licence that have been received; the date on which the contract for advisors is expected to be signed; the prospective date on which the awarding process will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43420/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware, I announced on 4th April 2012 that the Government has decided to hold a competition for the next National Lottery licence and that the licence will be for a 20 year period.

In July, my Department published a Request for Tenders (RFT) for Financial and Commercial Advice to the Department in relation to the next National Lottery Licence. The process of evaluating the tenders is now complete and a contract with the preferred tenderer should be finalised in the next few days.

When the advisors are in place, my officials will be working with them to establish the precise nature of the competitive process for the licence and the associated timelines. Developments in this regard will be made known to the market.

With respect to potential bidders for the licence, my officials have held initial meetings with a number of parties who may be interested in bidding for the next National Lottery licence. It would not be prudent of me to indicate at this time the precise number of parties who have expressed an interest in the next licence.