I appreciate the opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment. There is major concern among my constituents and much further afield about this issue which has gone unreported and about which there is a lack of clarity.
In September 1995 the Government set up a subcommittee to study casino gaming activity and the relevant legislation which may require amendment. A good deal of time has elapsed since that subcommittee was established and we have not heard of any comprehensive report.
My constituents are concerned about An Bord Pleanála's recent approval of a large-scale project. It appears the Government has decided that its first preference, the national conference centre, long talked about by successive Governments, should be given priority location in the RDS grounds in Ballsbridge. That recent decision was made in the light of consideration of schemes, programmes and submissions requested.
My party colleague, Deputy Andrews, in response to questions to the Minister responsible for this area on Tuesday, was told it is hoped that work on the proposed conference centre will commence by the end of the year. Given that we have been struggling for a long time to have a conference centre established, it is doubtful there will be room for a conference centre in the former Phoenix Park racecourse as well as one in Ballsbridge. The Government should clarify the position and the sooner the better.
There is a fundamental objection to the proposed project at the Phoenix Park. It lies in the commitment given by the applicants at the An Bord Pleanála hearing that not more than 500 gaming machines will be included in the complex. It was originally intended that the number would be closer to 800. The scale of the physical dimensions of the project could accommodate up to 1,000 slot machines.
Having heard submissions from concerned people including members of the clergy, community workers and others who were dealing with a problem that has reached crisis level, I and a number of cross-party colleagues on Dublin County Council voted to ban the use of gaming machines in Dublin. That was a considered and reasoned council decision. Such gaming machines are outlawed and I hope they will remain so. I hope the Minister will clarify the direction the Government intends to take on this issue and whether it proposes to introduce legislation in this area.
The size of the stadium, the houses it will overlook and the traffic chaos that will be caused by the project are matters of concern to my constituents. We were taken aback by An Bord Pleanála's decision, particularly given that an objection was made by the Fingal planning team at executive level. Local councils and officialdom opposed the project and made a comprehensive case at the hearing with An Bord Pleanála. I question the recent decision of An Bord Pleanála. While everybody else could be criticised for making planning decisions that faceless bureaucracy has not been questioned. Its decision is not in the interests of the proper planning and development of the proposed location chosen for the project.
I hope the Minister will clarify this matter. Under no circumstances should legislation be introduced to permit the use of gaming machines, particularly on the scale proposed for the Phoenix Park complex.
