Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to prohibit fixed odds betting terminals in upcoming legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13511/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I draw the Deputy's attention to my press statement of 21 September 2011 in which I announced that the Government had agreed to my proposals for new legislation to update our laws on gambling. In that statement I announced that the Government had decided, in the public interest, that the new legislation should prohibit fixed odds betting terminals.

My Department has prepared Heads of a Bill that will give effect to the proposals approved by the Government in 2011. It is provisionally entitled the Gambling Control Bill. I hope to bring the Heads to the Government soon, for its approval and for authorisation to draft a Bill. Therefore, subject to the Government approving the Heads, a prohibition on fixed odds betting terminals can be expected to be included in the new Bill.