asked the Minister for Justice if any scheme has been submitted to him suggesting a change in the present hospitals sweepstakes; if he proposes to permit a change in the organisation of these sweepstakes; if any legislation is contemplated in this regard; and, if so, if he will ensure that it will contain safeguards for pools such as those based on football and horse racing.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospitals Sweepstakes.
83.
The Public Hospitals Act, 1933, has provision for the promotion of sweepstakes in accordance with schemes submitted to the Minister for Justice by a Sweepstake Committee appointed by the governing body of a hospital or by more than one such governing body. No scheme has been submitted to me by the committee.
Could the Minister say whether he has received suggestions or tentative proposals of any kind from any organisation seeking perhaps his approval in advance of formal application? Has he received even that?
I have proposals from the Hospitals Sweepstakes concerning this matter. These proposals are being considered and examined by me in relation to the position of lotteries and pools for the country as a whole and having regard to the various interests concerned.
Are we to understand that while the Hospitals Commission has made proposals, none has been made by the Associated Hospitals Committee?
That is the position. Tentative proposals have been submitted to me but no official scheme for my sanction.
Has the Hospitals Commission consulted with the Associated Hospitals Committee? My information is that many of the associated hospitals are seriously disturbed that the Commission should make this approach without first consulting them. They have no wish to see the Commission get the permission it is now seeking.
The proposals are very much of a tentative nature. At the moment, I am seeing the various interests concerned. I received a deputation some days ago from a number of other people and organisations runing charitable pools and lotteries. I am considering what they have had to say and will receive other submissions from them. The matter will be considered in a responsible way when the total picture emerges as to what can or should or should not be done. The matter is at a very tentative stage at the moment.
Irreparable harm would be done to many charitable organisations if their main source of revenue, which is lotteries, is interfered with.
Representations on the lines of what the Deputy has said have been made to me. I heard personal representations to that effect from these various groups concerned.
Question No. 84 withdrawn.