Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2016
74. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the plans she has to progress issues that are outside of the gambling control Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33369/16]
View answerThe General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill was published in July 2013 following approval by the Government and is currently in drafting by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.
The Bill, as proposed, will update all existing laws on the regulation of gambling, including betting and gaming but excluding the National Lottery. It will provide for the licensing of all forms of on-line gambling.
The General Scheme was referred to what was at the time the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for consideration and observations. The Joint Committee received 29 submissions and held public hearings following which it issued a report on 6 November 2013 which contained 8 conclusions and was laid before the Houses.
The 2013 General Scheme provides for the conferring of responsibility for all regulatory matters in this area on the Minister for Justice and Equality, including licensing, inspections and prosecutions, and it envisages that these functions would be carried out by a body located within the Department of Justice and Equality.
The General Scheme also provides for a dedicated inspectorate to ensure compliance by licence holders with the terms of their licences and with the new legislation generally.
The Gambling Control Bill will have consumer protection generally as one of its core principles, and it is envisaged that it will include several measures aimed at the protection of vulnerable persons, including children, from risks to their well-being arising from gambling.
The 2013 Scheme includes measures that will require licence holders to act in a socially responsible way. These measures include controls on advertising, promotions and sponsorship.
It would remain the intention to proceed with this legislation at the earliest feasible opportunity. In support of these efforts the Government has delegated powers of the Minister for Justice and Equality under the gaming and lotteries legislation to me as Minister of State. Since my appointment I have requested my departmental officials to review the Scheme published in 2013 by way of taking account of intervening developments and technologies in the gaming sector. This review will help to update policy in this area.
At the same time, and pending the bringing forward of the main Bill, which, I am sure Deputies are aware, is a major undertaking, I have also asked my Department to examine whether there are any individual pressing areas of concern, intended to be dealt with in the Bill, which could be dealt with sooner by separate legislative measures and this is being actively considered. I am aware that there are a number of areas of immediate concern to Deputies and to the wider community. It is my intention, therefore, that work on such early measures will continue in tandem with the wider review of the existing Scheme of a Bill to avoid any undue delay. My officials and I will continue consultations with relevant stake-holders and I intend to move forward as quickly as possible with the appropriate legislation.
