asked the Minister for Justice the circumstances in which bookmakers who are domiciled in Northern Ireland are granted licences to operate on the track in the Republic; if he is satisfied that all the required conditions are fulfilled in each case; and what evidence is requested when application is being made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bookmakers' Licences.
35.
As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply of 13th November last on this subject.
As regards the other parts, the position is that each applicant must publish notice of intention to apply for a certificate of personal fitness in a daily newspaper published and circulating in the city of Dublin and is also required to furnish the names of three persons resident in the State who are willing to vouch for him. In practice, the bookmakers from the north who are granted licences here are also licensed in the north and for that purpose have to obtain, annually, a certificate of character from the courts there. This covers matters such as financial stability as well as character in the ordinary sense.
In order to operate on authorised tracks here, a bookmaker must have not only a bookmaker's licence but also a permit from the Racing Board or Bord na gCon, as the case may be, and these boards require certain financial guarantees before issuing permits. My Department checks with these boards before certificates of personal fitness are issued to bookmakers from the north.
Is the Minister aware that the number of licences now being granted to people living in the Six Counties is interfering with the livelihood of bookmakers residing in the Twenty-Six Counties?
Competition is no harm. It is a 32 county country.
The Minister was not in favour of it when he was giving the interview to the paper.
The Deputy is very tiresome.
The remaining Questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.