Question:
77 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Finance the current 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. [9753/01]
Written Answers. - National Lottery Licence.
The competition for the licence was in two phases. Phase I 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 II.
For phase II, the selection process itself, 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.
An Post National Lottery Company Ltd. submitted a bid before the deadline of 28 February 2001. My Department sought and obtained legal advice on the procedure to be followed and the bid submitted is currently being evaluated by consultants engaged by my Department. In the meantime the current lottery licence has been extended until 30 September 2001 to allow time to complete the evaluation process.