Select Committee on Finance and General Affairs debate -
Wednesday, 26 May 1993

SECTION 62.

Mr. Yates

I move amendment No. 133:

In page 91, subsection 1 (a) (ii), lines 15 to 23, to delete all words from and including ", that" in line 16 down to line 23 and substitute "that a gaming machine is not played by the public".

I raised this matter on Second Stage and the Minister promised he would look sympathetically at it as he had received representations. It is in relation to seaside resorts that only operate gaming machines for the summer months and the certification requirements to remove plant and equipment for the winter months, during which they were not going to be used, but they wanted to leave them on the premises and cover them over. The wording as proposed in page 91 of the Bill is very restrictive in terms of what has to be certified and this is a simplier way of doing it. I note the Minister has no amendment of his own. Perhaps he could let me know what his intentions are in this regard.

Mr. B. Ahern

I indicated to Deputy Yates that I would pursue that and I will come back to him on it.

Mr. Yates

In paragraph, (c) where it has to be inaccessible to the public that definition needs to be changed and maybe loosened. It would be satisfactory to say where the Revenue Commissioners are satisfied that the machines are not being played.

Mr. B. Ahern

Where gaming machines are located in a mixed trading premises which does not close in the off-season and there is insufficient storage space, it would be possible for a part, such as a circuit board, to be removed from the machine and that would, effectively, put the machine out of action. Therefore, it would be without any dutiable status. The amusement trade are satisfied with this solution which is now being discussed.

Chairman

As it is now 3.30 p.m., I am required to put the following question in accordance with the order of the Dáil on 20 May. "That the amendments set down by the Minister for Finance to Part II of the Bill and not disposed of are hereby made to the Bill and in respect of each of the sections undisposed of in this said Part that the section or, as appropriate, the section, as amended, is hereby agreed to".

Question put and agreed to.

Mr. Yates

We did not debate amendment No. 134. I wish to withdraw it and resubmit it on Report Stage.

Amendment No. 134 by leave, withdrawn.

Sections 72 to 75, inclusive, agreed to.