James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government gives a clear commitment to establish a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being, covering gambling online and in person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps.

As you will be aware, the General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill was published last October and drafting of the Bill is being finalised.  I expect that the Bill will be published shortly.  There is a pathway mapped for this legislation progressing which, with the cooperation of the Houses of the Oireachtas, will facilitate the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland being established and operational in 2023.

Last October, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sanctioned the recruitment of the CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. I am pleased to say that process has now completed and as of 8 September 2022, Ms. Anne Marie Caulfield, has been appointed to the role of CEO Designate and has assumed her duties.

A Programme Board has been established in my Department to ensure that the legislation and the operational preparations are progressed in parallel so that the Authority commences operations as soon as possible after enactment.