Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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88. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 50 of 5 February 2014, if only one application for the renewal of the licence for the tote was received by his Department; if he will provide details surrounding the application process and if the renewal was up for public tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8496/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware from a previous answer given to a PQ on this topic on 5th February, to date only two bodies are licensed under the Totalisator Act of 1929 to operate a tote (Bord na gCon and Horse Racing Ireland).  The primary purpose of this arrangement is to fund the horse and greyhound industry in Ireland.

The licence for Tote Ireland (operated by Horse Racing Ireland) is due to expire this year and one application for renewal of that licence has been received by my Department and is under active consideration.  As pointed out in the PQ on 5th February, the operation of the tote is to be reviewed in the context of the forthcoming Gambling Control Bill which is currently under preparation by my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.