To ask the Minister for Home Affairs whether his attention has been directed to the announcement in the Public Press for some time past of a Monster Sweep of £10,000 in connection with an English Horse Race, known as the Manchester November Handicap, on behalf of a popular Dublin Hospital—the Mater Misericordiae—and whether the said. Sweep will be administered in such a manner as not to contravene the existing laws appertaining to the holding of public lotteries, sweeps, etc., and if he will cause to have published by the promoters a full and certified statement by a reputable and recognised public auditor, showing the receipts and disbursements in connection therewith, so as to safeguard the charitable and philanthropic public from being exploited under the guise of praiseworthy charity and generosity for the material gain and sordid personal advantage of an individual or combination of individuals, and with this end in view will he (the Minister) take such steps as will ensure that the entire net proceeds will be handed over to the hospital in question.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - MATER CARNIVAL SWEEPSTAKE.
TOMAS MAC ARTUIR
Mr. KEVIN O'HIGGINS
The President will reply to this question.
I answer this question because I had a visit from a Member of the Dáil in connection with this sweepstake before its initiation. I am aware that the Sweepstake referred to in the question has been promoted, and in connection with it a Deputation of the Mater Carnival Executive Committee waited upon me. It appears that the Executive Committee have entered into an agreement with Mr. Richard Duggan to run this Sweep. Under this agreement Mr. Duggan is to give £10,000 in prizes, which amount, I understand, has actually been lodged with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, and is to pay over to the Committee a further sum of £10,000 three days before the draw, no matter what the result of the Sweep may be— Mr. Duggan bearing all expenses. In other words, no matter what happens, the Carnival benefits to the extent of £10,000, without running any risks. It appears that Mr. Duggan has since made an amended offer to let the Committee take over the whole organisation and simply pay his expenses. The Committee refused that offer. The Committee appear to be perfectly satisfied with the arrangement which they have entered into with Mr. Duggan and want him to keep to his original bargain with them, namely, to pay over to the Committee the sum of £10,000, win, lose, or draw. The Deputation which waited upon me pointed out that they have no machinery for carrying out such a project without risk, and stated that they considered the best interests of the Carnival would be served by accepting the offer made to them. The Deputation assured me that they are quite satisfied with the bargain they made with Mr. Duggan. It is understood that the accounts will be submitted to audit. In the circumstances, I see no reason for interfering with the holding of this Sweep.