Michael D. Higgins
Question:15 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will give a report on the disbursement of national lottery funds in 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - National Lottery Funds.
The Government have not yet decided on the allocation of funds for 1990. I hope to be in a position soon to make a statement on the matter.
Does the Minister not agree that the arrangements in place at present for the disposal of lottery funds in 1990 represent no improvement whatsoever on what has gone before and that the final decision-making process of all the applications now rests with the Minister? Is the Minister aware that the local authorities who were supposed to have had some input have taken the step of sending all the applications to the Minister without prioritising them so that he is now left in a position where he has approximately £5 million to disburse and applications of £100 million plus on hands? How is the Minister going to cope with this situation?
I announced at length the Government's decision in relation to the allocation of national lottery funds. I put on the record of the House and placed in the Library a full and detailed statement of where all the money would go. I have nothing further to add.
Does the Minister recall the statements made by his Coalition partner, Deputy Mary Harney, as she then was, to the effect that the national lottery was being used as a slush fund for Fianna Fáil? Does the Minister not accept, as Deputy Taylor said, that nothing has changed and the funds are effectively being disbursed in the same fashion?
That is a separate question.
Can we deal with the next question?
If Deputy Rabbitte puts down a separate question on that issue I will be glad to answer it.
I wish to facilitiate Deputy John Browne who is anxiously awaiting a reply to his question.