Written answers

Wednesday, 24 January 2018

Department of Justice and Equality

Proposed Legislation

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

97. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the Gambling Protection Bill will be enacted; the timeframe for the office of the proposed gambling regulator as set out in the Bill to be set up; the number of staff that will be employed in this office; the expertise required of these staff; the way in which they will be recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3661/18]

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I take it that the Deputy is referring to the proposed Gambling Control Bill.

The Government, on 10 January, 2018, approved the updating of the 2013 General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill. The proposed updating follows on from the review work undertaken in the Department of Justice and Equality over the past year and consultations with interested stakeholders. Changes to the Scheme will be subject to further consultations with the Office of the Attorney General and other relevant Departments.  

The critical update approved by the Government was for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority for gambling. This decision was taken on the basis that such a body would be best placed to conduct the complex range of licensing, regulating, monitoring, inspecting and enforcement tasks, etc. of the growing gambling industry in all of its facets. This independent approach would also mirror the approach taken in most EU Member States and beyond.  

The proposed independent regulator involves a change of approach from the 2013 General Scheme which proposed that the regulatory function, etc., would be discharged by the Minister for Justice and Equality, acting through the Office for Gambling Control Ireland, an Executive Office within the Department of Justice and Equality, but not a statutorily independent agency.  

In the context of reviewing and updating the General Scheme in all necessary aspects, I received Government approval to establish a Working Group, chaired by myself, comprising all stakeholder Departments, relevant Offices and the Office of the Attorney General. The Working Group will have its first meeting on 2 February 2018. I hope that the Group can submit a final report to Government in mid to late 2018.  

I expect that this Group will, amongst its other tasks, contribute to developing the structure of the proposed regulatory authority, including the staffing numbers, skills and expertise required and other issues. I will be engaging with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the recruitment of such staff at the appropriate time.  

The Deputy may also be aware that the General Scheme of the Civil Law and Courts (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 received Government approval in July 2017.  This Bill will, inter alia, provide for a number of specific changes to the current antiquated Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. These changes are limited in nature and primarily address the better regulation of fund raising activities at local level for charitable and philanthropic purposes.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.