This Bill is merely to continue the Betting Act in operation until 31st December next. The Act which is being continued does not deal with the betting tax. This Bill deals with the regulation of bookmakers and the premises in which bookmaking may be carried on. The Report of the Betting Committee was only published about a fortnight ago. It is a fairly comprehensive document which will take some little time to examine, and it would be quite impossible to have a Bill drafted, let alone passed, before the 30th June when the present legislation expires. A new Bill dealing with the regulation of betting will be ready for presentation to the Dáil after the Summer Recess.
Public Business. - Betting Bill, 1929—Second and Final Stages.
Order for Second Reading read.
Do I understand the Government intend to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Betting Act?
I could not say that it will give effect to all the recommendations of the Committee, but we are examining them. There may be certain points on which we could not agree with the Committee, but we are examining the Report, and undoubtedly the general trend of the Report will be followed.
Will the Minister say what relation do the fines imposed in the District Courts bear to the Betting Act?
No relation.
I ask that question for this reason: My attention has been drawn to several cases of bookmakers being confined in Mountjoy for the non-payment of very heavy penalties in respect of rather flimsy offences—nothing in the nature of fraud, but more in the nature of delay in the payment of betting duty. I could not find how these penalties came into being in relation to the Act.
Are these revenue penalties?
They are.
That is a different question.
They arise out of the tax.
But not out of the Betting Bill. They are revenue penalties?
Yes.
Could I raise this matter on the Finance Bill?
Yes.
I hope the Minister will give very serious consideration to the recommendations of the Committee, because the Committee consisted of members of the Seanad and the Dáil; it represented every political and other interest and consisted of persons who were thoroughly conversant with the subject. They spent a very considerable amount of time and heard a great deal of evidence. They made a unanimous report, and I hope the Bill that will be introduced will contain a very large proportion of the recommendations of the Committee.
Question—"That the Bill be now read a Second Time"—put and agreed to.
The existing legislation expires on the 30th. If Deputies have no objection. I would like the remaining stages of this Bill to be taken to-day.
Ordered accordingly.
Bill passed through Committee and reported without amendment.
Question—"That the Bill be received for final consideration"— put and agreed to.
Question—"That the Bill do now pass"—put and agreed to.
Message to be sent to the Seanad accordingly.