asked the Minister for Finance whether he has granted any licence under Section 24 (1) of the Betting Act, 1926, to set up, maintain and work a totalisator; and if he has not granted any such licence, whether he has come to a decision as to what body is suitable to be so licensed.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TOTALISATOR LICENCE.
No licence has yet been granted under sub-section (1) of Section 24 of the Betting Act, 1926, to set up, maintain and work a totalisator.
As regards the bodies suitable for the grant of a licence the Report of the Investigation Committee appointed by the Turf Club to inquire into the present condition of Irish racing has been forwarded to me as approved by the Turf Club and the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee which recommended inter alia that the totalisator should be installed on racecourses in Ireland and should be under the sole control of the Turf Club and the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee. A communication has been received from the Irish Provincial Executives' Association approving of the installation of the totalisator, but protesting against its sole control being handed over to the Turf Club and the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee. The Government Committee will give the fullest consideration to any representations that may be made to it as to the control of the totalisator. When the totalisator is set up the promise made in the Budget debate on the 21st April, 1927, will be redeemed, namely, that of the five per cent. that will be charged on bets made on the totalisator, apart from whatever is charged for expenses, one-half will be devoted to increasing stakes for the various races.