asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the continued proliferation of gaming machines in places of entertainment with severe detrimental effects on young persons; and the encouragement of gambling generally; and if he will take immediate action on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gaming Machines and Under Age Drinking.
11.
I am not so aware and I have no function in the matter if it is licensed amusement halls that the Deputy has in mind when he refers to "places of entertainment". The granting of licences to such establishments is controlled by the courts who have power to impose limits on the numbers of such machines in any particular premises.
If, however, the Deputy has in mind gaming machines on premises which are not licensed amusement halls, that is another matter. Some time ago the Garda received complaints about the operation of these machines in premises not licensed for the purposes of the Gaming and Lotteries Acts. As a result, the Commissioner issued fresh instructions to each Garda station about the enforcement of the law in regard to the presence of these machines in pubs, clubs, hotels, fish-and-chip shops and other such areas. I may say that the Garda have my full support in their efforts to eliminate abuses in this matter.
For the record, there were 86 prosecutions for breaches of the Gaming and Lotteries Act during the first five months of this year.
In view of the fact that there are only a small number of people who supply those machines would the Minister consider having the Garda Commissioner or his Department insisting on the suppliers forwarding to his Department or the Garda a list of the people to whom they have supplied those machines? This would ensure, rather than having a proliferation of those machines all over the place, which people have to spend a lot of time chasing up, the Minister getting a centralised list at the distribution point which might help in relation to pursuing complaints about no licences and so on.
I would be prepared to examine this.
Would the Minister comment on pool tables, which have been a problem in certain development areas, and other machines which may not come under the heading of gaming machines but are certainly creating a problem which leaves the Garda possibly without the muscle to deal with the matter?
I suggest to the Deputy that he should consider putting down a question about that matter. It is a separate question and I would not like to comment on it without giving the matter consideration.
12.
asked the Minister for Justice if he has received a communication from the Congress of Catholic Secondary School Parents Association concerning under age drinking and the use of gaming machines; and the action he proposes to take on the matter.
I have received a letter from the association and I have replied to it explaining the position as I see it. I shall send a copy of my reply to the Deputy.
I know the Minister is aware of the concern felt at the abuse of under age drinking. Would he consider amending the law in relation to drinking to perhaps prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquor especially on sale in supermarkets? I realise the owners of those supermarkets do their best to control it but it is very difficult for a check-out girl to check what a young person is buying especially during rush hours.
As the Deputy is aware, that particular aspect of the licensing laws has been raised in the House on a number of occasions. The licensing laws are presently being examined in my Department to see what changes are necessary. I cannot say to the Deputy when it is likely that I will be in a position to come before the House with any amending legislation. I appreciate the seriousness of the matter and I have certainly sympathy for the families whose children get drink where they should not get it.
May I point out that this is the last day on which we will have oral questions until after the recess? We might try to get through as many as possible.