Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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339. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the Gambling Control Bill 2018; when it will proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31026/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Gambling Control Bill 2018 is a Private Member’s Bill sponsored by Deputies Jim O’Callaghan, Jack Chambers and Anne Rabbitte. I am therefore not in a position to comment on the status of this Bill.

The Government did not oppose this Bill, which is a replication of the General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill approved by the Government in 2013, when it was introduced to the Dáil for Second Stage on 9 May 2018.

The Government, on 10 January, 2018, had approved the updating of the 2013 General Scheme. The proposed updating follows on from the review work undertaken in the Department of Justice and Equality 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 key element of the Government Decision of 10 January 2018 is the establishment of a new gambling regulatory authority as an independent statutory body under the auspices of the Department of Justice and Equality.

In the context of reviewing and updating the General Scheme in all necessary aspects, a Working Group, chaired by myself, comprising all stakeholder Departments, relevant Offices and the Office of the Attorney General has been meeting since February 2018. The work undertaken by the Group will assist in identifying new or emerging legislative and policy issues not currently represented in the original General Scheme and which may need to be addressed in new legislation.

I expect the Group to submit its report to Government in early Autumn, with work on a revised General Scheme to follow thereafter.