asked the Minister for Justice if he has received an application from a company (details supplied) to run a weekly lottery; if so, if he will give details of the application; if he has made any decision on the application; and, if so, if he will give details of that decision.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Lottery Application .
4.
: I do not think that it would be proper for me to say whether a particular person or body had made an application of this sort to me unless, of course, I had given formal consent to the proposal in accordance with statute.
: Could I refer the Minister to the last part of my question which could be paraphrased as asking him if he has granted the company in question any measure of agreement in relation to any proposal they have made for the running of a weekly lottery, or have the Government, on his recommendation, made any such decision?
: I am not in a position to give that information. In my reply I gave reasons why I did not think it appropriate that an application of this sort made by a particular person or body should be made available at this time.
: I do not understand the Minister's answer. Are we to understand that he has not made any decision on any such application but that even if he does grant a licence to this company to hold a weekly lottery we will not be told about it and will not be able to find out about it here?
: Since other organisations and promoters might have an interest in the success or future of certain applications, it would not be in the public interest for me to divulge that information.
: Is the implication of what the Minister is saying that we have to wait until we are bearded in the street by somebody selling raffle tickets before we find out what the Government have done in our names in relation to licences for lotteries of this kind?
: The Deputy is aware of what I told him.
: Would the Minister elaborate on what he means by referring to the implied possibility or threat of pressure from other interests outside this department which might prejudice the decision, or is that an incorrect interpretation?
: It is.
: Why would the Minister be concerned about other interested parties if the decision is his?
: That is a separate question.