Ruairí Quinn
Question:54 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the process for seeking applications for the licence to run the national lottery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4680/01]
Written Answers. - National Lottery.
The competition for the new licence was in two phases. Phase 1 involved inviting applicants who wished to participate in a later separate competitive process for the award of the licence. Three applications were received and deemed suitable to progress to phase 2.
For phase 2, the actual selection process, my Department recruited a consultant to assist with the design of the invitation to tender, evaluation of the tenders received and the final selection of the successful tender. On 15 December 2000, the invitation to apply and draft licence were sent to the three applicants. On 28 December 2000, Autotote Lottery Corporation withdrew from the process. This was followed on 8 January by the withdrawal of Sisal. The remaining applicant has until 28 February to decide whether to submit a bid for the licence.