asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue derived from betting offices to date in 1976.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Betting Figures.
8.
The amount of betting duty received from betting offices during the period 1st January to 30th September, 1976, was £5.992 million.
Is that figure for off-course betting?
That is my understanding of the situation.
We shall have a word about it after the next question.
9.
asked the Minister for Finance the number of betting offices licensed in the Republic; and the amount collected in licensing fees this year.
There are 996 licensed bookmakers' premises in the country. The sum of £5,360 was collected in respect of bookmakers' premises registration fees during the period 1st January, 1976, to 30th September, 1976.
In relation to the Minister's reply to Question No. 8——
We have passed to No. 9, Deputy.
Arising out of both questions as they are related——
I am sure I will be able to help the Deputy if he asks it on Question No. 9.
The return to the Exchequer from licensed betting offices is approximately £6 million. In view of the outdated Betting Act, is the Minister now prepared to introduce up-to-date legislation to control this important source of revenue? Illegal betting is being carried on in public houses and illegal bets are being sent out of the country. To increase revenue and to give licensed bookmakers an advantage for which they have paid a large fee——
Could I dissuade the Deputy from making a speech?
I am asking the Minister when he will take action to update the outmoded Betting Act.
I should like to make it clear that the annual amount collected from betting offices is in excess of £6 million. On the basis of there being 996 betting offices paying £20 each, the anticipated annual income is £19,920. The annual fee becomes payable in November/December and we anticipate that that amount will be collected. I share the Deputy's view that there is a need to update the Betting Act to take account of changes in social patterns since the Betting Act was introduced. There is also a need to ensure that illegal betting does not occur in premises which are not licensed for betting, particularly in premises which are licensed for the sale of alcohol. I have been in discussion with the Department of Justice and the industry itself. Amendments are being drafted and it is my hope that it will be possible to introduce a Bill which will reflect the needs of 1976.
Until such time as legislation is introduced, will the Minister take action to ensure that licensed bookmakers are not disadvantaged to the extent they are at present, when they are being prosecuted? Some of them have been heavily fined for having television and other broadcasting facilities on their premises while these facilities are allowed in public houses. In the meantime will the Minister allow bookmakers to give the same services as publicans?
The Deputy will appreciate that it is not open to any Minister to give a direction that the law should be disobeyed. I hope the authorities will bear in mind what the Deputy has said.
Six bookmakers were fined in Dublin city for having——
The Deputy may not make a speech.
Would the Minister agree that most off-course betting offices are in premises which are sub-standard, and could he use his influence with his colleagues, the Ministers for Health and Local Government, to bring about some improvement at least in the sanitary conditions in which most of them operate?
In the updating of the legislation Oireachtas Éireann ought to bear in mind a number of points, including the one raised by Deputy Haughey. If the Oireachtas decide that more facilities could be made available in licensed bookmakers premises they might also decide that other ones, such as Deputy Haughey referred to, should be made available.
Apart from new legislation, I believe that if the normal health regulations and planning standards were applied a high percentage of these offices would be closed.
I will certainly bring the Deputy's remarks to the attention of the Ministers concerned.
I cannot agree with what Deputy Haughey said.
The Deputy may not indulge in argument.
I want to disclaim the allegation made by Deputy Haughey. I must uphold the honour and dignity of my profession.
The Deputy will have to find another time to do that. This is Question Time.
I am innocent in this field and I shall therefore bring to the attention of the Ministers concerned the remarks of Deputy Coughlan.
The disinterested and impartial remarks of Deputy Coughlan.
Order. Question No. 10.