Vol. 407 No. 3
89 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if there are any proposals to allow the sale of Irish Lotto tickets abroad; if he will outline the difficulty or difficulties, if any, to prevent such a process; if favourable consideration is likely to be given to such a proposal now or in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The national lottery has no plans at this time for the sale of Lotto tickets abroad.
From a legal point of view there is nothing in Irish legislation that would prevent the company from selling its products in other countries. However, such a development would have to be viewed by those countries in the context of their domestic legislation. The position within the European Community will, of course, be influenced by the general reduction in trade barriers in the context of the Single Market.
I am happy that the company's current priority is to concentrate on the development of the market for lottery products in Ireland so as to ensure that levels of revenues will be generated for the Exchequer which will optimise the funds available for distribution to beneficiary projects.
