Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Gaming and Lotteries.

Alan Shatter

Question:

995 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he will take to implement the recommendations contained in the review undertaken of the Gaming and Lotteries Act as furnished to him in 2000; his views on whether there is a need for legislative measures to be enacted to deal with the impact of the introduction of the euro on the amusement trade and on the use of slot machines; and if he will increase the maximum jackpot allowed to be paid out in slot machines. [1031/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the interdepartmental review group is being considered at present within the context of the overall legislative programme within my Department. I understand that the introduction of the euro will not require special legislation in respect of the amusement trade. Any adjustment to the prize limits for gaming machines would require new legislation or an amendment to the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act. In line with one of the recommendations contained in the above report, I have no proposals for such a measure ahead of the substantive legislation which will be based on the overall thrust of the report's recommendations.